The prickly sweetness of Crimea

Today’s travelers are hard to impress: they seem to have seen everything and know everything. This also applies to the attitude of tourists to the Crimean green attraction - the prickly cactus. Many are indifferent to it: they say that it is surprising that such cacti are found everywhere.

Scientists disagree on the status of this plant in Crimea. Some argue that the peninsula is the northernmost territory, where the pearl is able to survive, even in a wild form. Others emphasize that it is the only cactus that can withstand the Crimean winters. There was no consensus about the type of plant: in local sources, both the prickly pearl and the ordinary pearl are mentioned.

Opuntia grows in the Crimea in small groups on the rocky slopes of the southern and southwestern exposition of the Crimean mountains. It can be found in the east of the peninsula - from Sudak to Balaklava, as well as in the vicinity of Sevastopol in the west. Especially extensive thickets of this cactus are preserved in the old cemeteries of the middle of the XIX century, associated with the period of the Crimean War and the first siege of Sevastopol.

There are two main versions of the appearance of pearl in the Crimea.

The first version connects the spread of the plant with the Italians, who allegedly planted it in the cemeteries where soldiers of the Sardinian Kingdom, who died in the Crimean War of 1853-1856, were buried. Confirmation are significant thickets of pearl near the graves near Sevastopol and at the abandoned cemetery in the village of Uyutnoye near Sudak.

The second, more likely version, indicates the activity of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. Already in the second decade of the XIX century, its employees were actively engaged in the acclimatization of exotic plants, including planting pearl in different areas of the peninsula. This is confirmed by the fact that cacti are found far from the cemeteries - on the mountain slopes.

The fruits of the pearl ripen in the second half of the Crimean summer and remain on flattened stems (not leaves) until spring, until they fall themselves. In late September - early October, the plant is especially noticeable against the background of dried vegetation due to dark red fruits. These sweet and juicy fruits are valued by gourmets above the green parts of the plant. They are used: for the preparation of jam, compotes and marmalade; as an additive to yogurt; immature fruits are stewed with meat; overripe fruits are fermented, getting an alcoholic drink.

Under no circumstances do not touch the prick! In addition to large and visible thorns, the plant is covered with "glochidia" - fragile microscopic hooks. They are located bundles on the surface of the cactus, easily break off when touched, soak into the skin and are extremely difficult to extract. The fruits of the pearl should be collected as carefully as possible.

In the photo: Blooming cactus of pearl in Miskhor Park, 2010 © Wikimedia.org, author Alefirenko Petro, CC BY-SA 4. 0