Plant Prickly pear?

[Lifecraft]

This is on the side of a hill near the beach.

 

[Howling Dingo]

Looks like it...

 

[Aussie123]

Yes.

Wait for the fruit ! Yum - but very mucilaginous and slimy.

Roll the fruit on the ground with your foot to help dislodge the hairs, and be careful because they are very irritating

 

[albatross_87]

yes its definitely cactus pear.. but its not ripe yet... once ripe it'll be orange (or yellow and becoming close to it). Soaking or washing in water can help dislodge spines. I normally use gloves or a towel when handling. They are found on just about every Australian latitude along roadsides where migrants have settled. They're extremly drought tolerant and grow from cuttings. The actual leaves on the cactus itself are also edible but astringent. Ive seen it consumed a bit like people drink aloe vera.. but of course one would have to do something about the prickles before consuming. Cant say I've got around to eating any part of it other than its fruit.

 

[albatross_87]

oh and the fruit is bloody good! ... so go back when they're ripe!!!

 

[GTVi]

Break off a leaf, plant it in your back yard and you will have prickly pear fruit for life.

 

[Aussie123]

y..... The actual leaves on the cactus itself are also edible but astringent. Ive seen it consumed a bit like people drink aloe vera.. but of course one would have to do something about the prickles before consuming....

The fruit is the best part to eat. Peeling the "leaves" is the way to treat them.

The young leaves (in Spring) are said to be much better than older ones.
Once collected, they are peeled (with a potato peeler, or knife)
Thinly sliced
Boiled (usually with 1 or 2 changes of ware) or grilled

 

[Blake]

When fully ripe they are a dark purple colour and taste like pomegranate. I believe they are popular in Mexico... maybe but they eat them green there? Never tried it green. They have a fair few seeds but are worthwhile eating. Like Aussie said they hairs are really annoying but you can get rid of them. Here is a Jam I made with the fruit: http://bushcraftoz.com/forums/showthread.php?7279-Prickly-Pear-Jam&highlight=prickly+pear