Prickly pear

A shrubby, bushy cactus from high up in the rocky ground of the Himalayas, its leaves are actually modified spines, and the stem is a flat, spongy, leaf-like structure. Grow it in very free-draining gritty soil because it's used to dry, desert-like conditions, and sudden, infrequent rain. The incredibly colourful flowers open in spring and autumn, and are followed by fruit. In the wild, the mashed up leaves are used as a poultice to reduce inflammation, and the edible fruit is sweet and juicy.