Common name: Drooping prickly pear, Barbary fig. Tamil Name: Sappathikalli
Barbary fig is native to South America and it is shrub that grows to around 2-3 feet in height. The plant prefers the dry scrubby habitat but can be seen often in surprisingly varying habitats along the Western Ghats. The plant is a succulent thorny shrub. The leafs are rudimentary measuring around 2mm and they fall of fast. The photosynthetic activities are done by the flattened stem like structures which are green. The flattened stem structurae intermittent spines which can measure unto 5 cm in length. These stem segments or oblong and on its edge appear the flowering buds. The flowers are generally solitary large and measure around 8 to 10 cm across. They have many petals and stamens . The petals are yellow with reddish streaks (these reddish streaks are not seen in opuntia strict). The fruit is in the form of a pear shaped berry. The plant is used as a hedge plant the fruit is edible.
