Cantwell M. Post-harvest Management of Fruits and Vegetable stems. In: Barbera G, Inglese P, Pimienta-Barrios E, editors. Agro-ecology, cultivation and uses ofcactus pear. FAO plant production and protection paper 132. Rome; 1995. p. 216. Frati AC, Xilotl Díaz N, Altamirano P, Ariza R, López-Ledesma R (1991). "The effect of two sequential doses of Opuntia streptacantha upon glycemia". Archivos de Investigación Médica. 22 (3–4): 333–6. PMID 1844121.

Gheribia R, Puchotb L, Vergeb P, Jaoued-Grayaac N, Meznic M, Habibib Y, Khwaldia K. Development of plasticized edible films from Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage: a comparative study of various polyol plasticizers. Carbohydr Polym. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.02.085.

Márquez-Berber SR, Torcuato-Calderón C, Almaguer-Vargas G, Colinas-León MT, Gardezi AK. Cactus pear ( Opuntia albicarpa and O. megacantha) production system in Axapusco, Estado de México Problems and alternatives. Rev Chap Ser Hortic. 2012. https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchsh.2012.18.006. A 2005 study suggested the genus Pereskia as then circumscribed ( Pereskia sensu lato) was basal within the Cactaceae, but confirmed earlier suggestions it was not monophyletic, i.e., did not include all the descendants of a common ancestor. The Bayesian consensus cladogram from this study is shown below with subsequent generic changes added. [34] [35] [36] Cactaceae The remaining cacti fall into only two groups: three tree-like genera, Leuenbergeria, Pereskia and Rhodocactus (all formerly placed in Pereskia), and the much smaller Maihuenia. These two groups are rather different from other cacti, [10] which means any description of cacti as a whole must frequently make exceptions for them. Species of the first three genera superficially resemble other tropical forest trees. When mature, they have woody stems that may be covered with bark and long-lasting leaves that provide the main means of photosynthesis. Their flowers may have superior ovaries (i.e., above the points of attachment of the sepals and petals) and areoles that produce further leaves. The two species of Maihuenia have succulent but non-photosynthetic stems and prominent succulent leaves. [10] Growth habit Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. Vol.III M-Q. CRC Press. p.1885. ISBN 978-0-8493-2677-6. Most cactus fruits can be eaten fresh and raw. After peeling the skin, slice the sweet watery pulp into bite-size pieces and serve. They can make a tasty salad, fruit toppings, or a cold creamy smoothie. Alternatively, squeeze the pulp and make a refreshing beverage.

Cactus flowers are pollinated by insects, birds and bats. None are known to be wind-pollinated and self-pollination occurs in only a very few species; for example the flowers of some species of Frailea do not open ( cleistogamy). [52] The need to attract pollinators has led to the evolution of pollination syndromes, which are defined as groups of "floral traits, including rewards, associated with the attraction and utilization of a specific group of animals as pollinators." [53]Opuntia ficus-indica has been introduced to Europe, and flourishes in areas with a suitable climate, such as the south of France and southern Italy: In Sicily, they are referred to as fichi d'India (Italian literal translation of Indian fig) or ficurinia ( Sicilian language literal translation of Indian fig). In Sardinia, they are called figumorisca – Moorish figs), the same denomination they receive along the Catalan-speaking regions of the Western Mediterranean, figa de moro. They can be found also in the Struma River in Bulgaria, in southern Portugal and Madeira (where they are called tabaibo, figo tuno, or "Indian figs"), in Andalusia, Spain (where they are known as higos chumbos). Phylogeny and evolution Phylogeny Rhodocactus grandifolius is weakly succulent, possesses leaves, and is thought similar to the ancestor of all cacti. The stems of most cacti have adaptations to allow them to conduct photosynthesis in the absence of leaves. This is discussed further below under Metabolism.

Decay Incidence (DI) was observed according to the four-point scale formula of Cao et al. ( 2011). All fruits of each replication were visually evaluated according to the scale where 0 referred no decay, 1 equaled to slight decay (≤ 25%), 2 mentioned moderate decay (25% < 50%) and 3 referred severe decay (> 50%). After scoring the fruits according to above given scale, following formula was used to calculate Decay Incidence. DI = {[(1 × N1) + (2 × N2) + (3 × N3)] × 100/(3 × N)}. In this formula, N represents the total number of fruit measured and N1, N2 and N3 were used to indicate the numbers of fruit showing the different severities of decay.Derya Ozdemir (23 June 2020). "Creating Leather From Cactus to Save Animals and the Environment". Interesting Engineering. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022 . Retrieved 23 June 2020. Martínez-Romero D, Castillo S, Guillén F, Díaz-Mula HM, Zapata PJ, Valeroa D, Serranoba M. Aloe vera gel coating maintains quality and safety of ready-to-eatpomegranate arils. Postharvest Biol Technol. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2013.06.022. The majority of cacti are stem succulents, i.e., plants in which the stem is the main organ used to store water. Water may form up to 90% of the total mass of a cactus. Stem shapes vary considerably among cacti. The cylindrical shape of columnar cacti and the spherical shape of globular cacti produce a low surface area-to-volume ratio, thus reducing water loss, as well as minimizing the heating effects of sunlight. The ribbed or fluted stems of many cacti allow the stem to shrink during periods of drought and then swell as it fills with water during periods of availability. [11] A mature saguaro ( Carnegiea gigantea) is said to be able to absorb as much as 200 U.S. gallons (760L; 170impgal) of water during a rainstorm. [9] The outer layer of the stem usually has a tough cuticle, reinforced with waxy layers, which reduce water loss. These layers are responsible for the grayish or bluish tinge to the stem color of many cacti. [11]