Cactus above Taghazout
The cactus is a plant put
to many uses in Morocco.
It has been used as a boundary marker for peoples land since the first nomadic settlers needed to protect themselves against man and beast. You can find whole villages in Morocco protected in this manner, so careful when you jump a wall, as behind you could be in for a sharp surprise.
The "figu" is the cactus
fruit and is ripe from July- Sept. It grows, protected by the
sharp thorns of the cactus plant safe from all animals. It is
used against mild stomach problems and tastes like an under
ripe kiwi. It will be found for sale when in season in most
Moroccan villages.
The figu's high water and vitamin content make it a favourite
with the local villagers where it grows and has been used by
sailors of the sand and sea for generations as a fruit to take
on board..
A long pole with a wire net attached to its end is used to collect
the figu fruit from its sharp house.