Opuntia matudae

Opuntia matudae, or xoconostle, is a cactus native to Mexico. It is sometimes treated as a synonym of Opuntia hyptiacantha.[1] In 2019, a genetic study supported keeping the taxa distinct.[2]

Opuntia matudae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species:
O. matudae
Binomial name
Opuntia matudae

Uses

Opuntia matudae is the most commercially important species of cactus referred to as 'xoconostle'.[3] Opuntia joconostle is also referred to as 'xoconostle'.[4]

The cactus fruit is consumed as a traditional medicine and food in Mexico.[4] In contrast to the common fruit (tunas) from related Opuntia ficus-indica, it is less sweet, the color is a bland greenish, and it is more used for traditional medicine than cuisine. Its taste is more acidic (due to citric acid). It has many green seeds in the central pit which is covered in red pigment from its antioxidant betalains.

References
  1. "Opuntia matudae Scheinvar". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  2. Martínez-González, César Ramiro; Gallegos-Vázquez, Clemente; Scheinvar, Leía; León, María Eugenia Muñiz-Díaz De; Jiménez-Ramírez, Jaime (6 November 2019). "Re-evaluation of Opuntia matudae (Cactaceae)". Phytotaxa. 423 (3): 158–170. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.423.3.4. S2CID 209585233.
  3. Guzmán-Maldonado, Salvador H.; Morales-Montelongo, Ana L.; Mondragón-Jacobo, Candelario; Herrera-Hernández, Guadalupe; Guevara-Lara, Fidel; Reynoso-Camacho, Rosalia (August 2010). "Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Functional Characterization of Fruits Xoconostle (Opuntia matudae) Pears from Central-México Region". Journal of Food Science. 75 (6): C485–C492. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01679.x. PMID 20722901.
  4. Arias-Rico, José; Cruz-Cansino, Nelly del Socorro; Cámara-Hurtado, Montaña; López-Froilán, Rebeca; Pérez-Rodríguez, María Luisa; Sánchez-Mata, María de Cortes; Jaramillo-Morales, Osmar Antonio; Barrera-Gálvez, Rosario; Ramírez-Moreno, Esther (1 April 2020). "Study of Xoconostle (Opuntia spp.) Powder as Source of Dietary Fiber and Antioxidants". Foods. 9 (4): 403. doi:10.3390/foods9040403. PMC 7231072. PMID 32244651.


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