The prickly pear is recognized as one of the characteristic symbols of Mexican culture. And it is that, for centuries, Mexicans have known very well how to use this particular type of cactus. Their medicinal and nutritional properties they have given it an important space in the diet of the Mexican community. It is not for nothing that the nopal is known as the Mexican green gold; however, that green color that characterizes this plant does not represent all species.
Recently a very unusual type of nopal has become popular. One that breaks a little with the scheme that is known from the nopal; because this is not green but purple.
The purple prickly pear
Some have come to think that the photographs of this nopal are not real; as its purple color is quite unusual and striking. But the truth is that this nopal does exist, its scientific name is purple opuntia, which highlights its particular color. Nevertheless, this nopal only occurs in very specific climatic conditions; that is why it is so rare.
This type of nopal can be found in Mapimí in the Zone of Silence in the state of Durango which is located in northern Mexico. In this place, the weather conditions that favor the growth of the purple nopal occur. In this area, the climate is extreme, with strong droughts and very cold temperatures during the winter months. Precisely the drought in combination with the low temperatures, favor the nopal to acquire a purple color.
Thus, the time during which This nopal acquires its brightest purple color in winter in Durango, between December 21 and March 20. and in spring, between March 20 and June 21. At this time, the nopales have been exposed to the ideal conditions to turn purple.
Thanks to the unusual characteristics of this nopal, this area of Durango has become a very popular place. It is important to note that it is the only place in the world where you can appreciate the beauty of this species of cactus.
Reason for its coloration
It is well known that the walnut tree, like the cactus that it is, does not require much water for survival. However, it is also true that it requires a certain amount of water to perform its functions. In the case of this type of walnut, it has a greater capacity to tolerate more time without water.
When this walnut tree has a long period of time without water, then by not having the resource, specific physiological changes occur: they turn purple. As you take the plants, these nopales have chlorophyll and chlorophylls; but since they do not have water in their reserves, they cannot produce it. In this way, they replace these substances with others, which cause a purple coloration.
This means that when they have water, their color is green; but as this resource becomes scarcer, they turn purple little by little, until they are completely covered in this color.