对于大多数美国的园艺家来说仙人掌(Opuntia)及其近亲胭脂仙人掌(Nopalea)是能在石质土中生长、抗逆性很强的观赏植物,而对西部农民来说却是麻烦的杂草。不过,在世界上的许多热带和沙漠地区,仙人掌的价值在于他们的果实和“叶子”可以食用,这些属的可食用类型,都具有平厚的 For most American horticulturists, Opuntia and its close relatives Nopalea are ornamental plants that can grow in stony soils but are troublesome for western farmers grass. However, the value of cacti in many tropical and desert areas of the world lies in their fruit and “leaves” that can be eaten, and the edible types of these genera have a thick