Opuntia dilenii is a cactus forming bushes 1 to 3 meters tall. The stem is branched, forming thin flat pale green pads, the cladodes, measuring less than 20-25 cm. They wear some yellowish spines. Flowering occurs in summer; the flowers are bright yellow and the purple fruits are pear-shaped or spherical. They are bitter but edible.
The plant can be found in various environments and soils. However it prefers alkaline, well-drained soils and sunny locations.
Most of the Opuntia species contain many alkaloids (3-methoxytyramine, candicine, hordenine, N-methyltyramine, tyramine ...).
The stem is said to have medicinal properties in the treatment of stomach aches and diarrhea, the fruit juice in the treatment of warts. A poultice made from the pads can be applied on wounds. A tea, prepared with pads is used in the treatment of lung ailments.
The bushes are planted around homes and gardens to create natural hedges.
The juice derived from the stem, very sticky, is added to plaster or whitewash to make it adhere better to walls.
A mucilage is extracted from the cladodes which is used as formation aid in paper making. This viscous material is added to the pulp to increase its viscosity and thus delay the settling of fibers in the tank. In addition, the mucilage allows a better dispersion of the long fibers.
