Harrisia cactus (Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland)

Harrisia cactus

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Harrisia cactus

Photo of the Harrisia cactus

Harrisia cactus fruit and spike

Photo of the Harrisia Cactus

Harrisia cactus



General information

Harrisia cactus (Eriocereus spp.) is a perennial plant from South America. It was introduced into Queensland as a pot plant in the 1890s. Dense infestations choke out pasture.

Harrisia cactus (Harrisia spp. syn. Eriocereus spp.) is a Class 1 declared plant under Queensland legislation. H. martinii, H. tortuosa and H. pomanensis syn. Cereus pomanensis are Class 2 declared plants.

Scientific name Eriocereus spp.
Impacts
  • forms dense infestations that reduce pastures
  • chokes out other pasture species when left unchecked
  • spines interfere with stock mustering and movement
Description
  • spiny, fleshy-jointed stems form tangled mats about 0.5 m high
  • stems are ribbed lengthwise with six ribs
  • each rib has low, thick, triangular humps at regular intervals
  • humps have cushions of grey felty hairs, three to five short spines lying flat, and one to three erect, stiff, sharp spines 2.5#3 cm long
  • large pink, funnel-shaped flowers with a tinge of white 
  • flowers grow singly on a slender scaly grey/green tube 12#15 cm long
  • fruit is red, round, 4#5 cm across, with scattered bumps with hairs and spines
  • numerous small black seeds embedded in the fruit's white, juicy pulp
Habitat/distribution/life cycle
  • a pest of brigalow and associated softwood country
  • infestations also appear in box and ironbark stands and in pine forests
  • found in the Collinsville, Nebo, Moranbah, Dingo, Blackwater and Goondiwindi districts
  • minor infestations at Millmerran, Greenmount, Gatton, Ipswich, Rockhampton, Rannes, Mt Morgan, Alpha and Mitchell
  • fruit spread by birds and animals 
  • branches take root where they touch the ground
Control
  • plough only if followed by annual cropping
  • two biological control agents have been found to be effective
  • a combined approach of different control methods including mechanical, fire, chemical and biological with land management practices is most effective
  • see harrisia cactus fact sheet for further information   
Declaration details
  • Harrisia cactus (Harrisia spp. syn. Eriocereus spp.) is a Class 1 declared plant under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
  • H. martinii, H. tortuosa and H. pomanensis syn. Cereus pomanensis are Class 2 declared plants
  • control of declared pests is required by landholders
Further information
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Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 22 January 2010



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