Nopalea cochenillifera

Nopalea cochenillifera is a cactus that is edible and has many medicinal properties. It also makes an attractive, drought-tolerant landscape plant.

This species grows to about 15 feet tall and can become tree-like in just a few years.

The pads, or cladodes, are about 8-10 inches in diameter and thicken up as they age to support new growth higher up on the plant. Eventually, the base becomes more rounded like the trunk of a tree.

Flowering generally occurs in spring. The blooms are very showy with their orange petals and fuchsia-red stamens.

The pads are the edible part, and should be harvested when they are near full size, but still have a few rudimentary leaves visible.

The pads are nearly spineless, but it's a good idea to scrape away the bumps with a sharp knife or scrub with a scouring pad, just to be on the safe side. It's common to trim away the thickened base of the pad since this is often tougher and not as good to eat. The rest can be diced or sliced up into strips, and eaten raw, steamed or stir-fried.

Some people leave the pad whole, make long cuts down the length (like fingers on a hand), season it, and throw it on the grill.
Nopalea can also be juiced like any other green vegetable.

Nopalea should not be confused with nopales. The word nopales is used for the pads of any edible cactus species, most commonly Opuntia ficus-indica. The documented health benefits come only from Nopalea cochenillifera.

Medicinally, Nopalea is used for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, alcohol hangover, colitis, diarrhea, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and viral infections, according to WebMD, although some of their statements are contradictory.

Botanical extracts of the plant have been shown to have anti-microbial activity.

The pads are also used as animal fodder. The species name is derived from the cochineal insects that feed on the plant, and are collected to produce a bright red dye. This insect dye is used in food coloring, soft drinks, lipstick and other cosmetics.

Nopalea cochenillifera is native to Mexico and grows as an introduced plant throughout the
Caribbean. It is recommended for USDA Zones 9-10.

Aloe zebrina

Aloe zebrina is just one of the many species of spotted aloes. It is very similar in appearance to Aloe saponaria, with which it is often confused. The main difference is that the spots on the leaves in this species tend to be in rows. The pattern of spotting is variable, even on a single plant.

The plant grows to be fairly large, getting up to 2 1/2 feet across. Flowering occurs repeatedly during the year at any season. An established planting consisting of several plants will be in bloom nearly every day during the warm months of the year.
The flower spike emerges from between the leaves and grows up to three feet in height, branching near the top. The reddish tubular flowers barely open at the tip.

Even when not in bloom, the rosette of spotted leaves makes Aloe zebrina an attractive specimen in the landscape.

This native of southern Africa grows in a wide range of conditions in its natural habitat and there is considerable variation within the species. It is recommended for USDA Zones 9b to 11. The roots are a source of golden-yellow dye.

Hummingbirds love the flowers of Aloe zebrina and will make repeated visits to the blooms throughout the day.

Cereus peruvianus

Cereus peruvianus is a tall columnar cactus native to South America.  The species name, peruvianus indicates it is a native of Peru, but this was a horticultural error.  It is actually native to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.  Up until the 1920s, nearly every columnar cactus discovered was given the name Cereus.  Eventually they were split into several different genera but many still retain Cereus as part of their name, leading to much taxonomic confusion.
The columns often have a gray-green or bluish tint in full sun.  There seems to be some genetic variation in coloring, and color is more pronounced on new growth.

With age, they begin to branch and can form some spectacular specimens up to 20 feet tall.  They are very easy to grow and are now planted worldwide.
During the warm months of the year, large, 8-inch diameter, greenish-white flowers will open at night.  They have a delicate fragrance, and pollinated flowers will develop an edible fruit that turns pink or red when ripe.

Less common strains have yellow skin.  The ripe fruit ranges from the size of a large hen's egg to tennis ball size.  Inside, it has white flesh with black crunchy seeds.

The flesh has a granular texture that quickly turns mucilaginous when spooned or pressed.  The white flesh can be spooned out of the rind or the fruit can be sectioned and eaten in chunks.  Cereus peruvianus fruit has a delicate floral flavor very much reminiscent of the flower's fragrance.  The fruit of the Cereus and several other species of cactus is known as Pitaya.  It is being grown commercially in the deserts of Israel and is marketed as Koubo to distinguish it from other Pitayas.
Some Cereus are self-infertile, so if you're growing these for the fruit, try to obtain more than one genetic strain for cross-pollination.
This plant is sometimes also called Peruvian Apple or Night Blooming Cereus.  They grow well in containers and will flower and produce fruit if given adequate light.

Full sun is best for flower and fruit production, but the plants will grow quite well in shade or even as houseplants.  Cereus is recommended for USDA Zones 9-11.  This would make it hardy to about 20°F.