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Prickly pear
Prickly pear
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Prickly pear
General information
Prickly pear (Opuntia spp. other than O. ficus-indica) is a general term used to describe some plants of the Cactaceae family. The term includes species of Opuntia, Nopalea, and Acanthocereus. All these plants originate in the Americas.
This plant was introduced into pastoral districts in the 1840s. By 1925, it had invaded more than 24 million ha in Queensland and New South Wales.
Prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) is a declared Class 1 pest plant under Queensland legislation. Class 1 pests established in Queensland are subject to eradication from the state. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 1 pests. It is a serious offence to introduce, keep or supply a Class 1 pest without a permit issued by Biosecurity Queensland. Penalties of up to $80,000 apply. O. ficus-indica is not declared. O. Stricta, O. aurantiaca, O. monacantha, O. tomentosa and O. streptacantha species are Class 2 declared pest plants.
| Scientific name |
Opuntia spp. other than O. ficus-indica |
| Impacts |
- invades pastures
- vigorous in hot, dry conditions causing other plants to lose vigour or die
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| Description |
- leafless succulent shrub
- spiny and pear-shaped fruit
- stems divided into segments (pads or joints)
- flowers large and vary from yellow, orange, red, pink, purple to white seen during spring
- fruits varying from red, purple, orange, yellow to green
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| Habitat and distribution |
- is spread by birds and animals eating the fruit and excreting viable seed
- infestations covered 4 million hectares by 1900, 24 million hectares by 1920 and advances at a rate of 400,000 hectares per year
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| Control |
- nine established insects and one mite biological control agents established in Queensland
- fire is an effective control method for dense prickly pear infestations
- a combined approach of different control methods including biological, mechanical and herbicide integrated with land management practices is most effective
- see the prickly pear identification and control fact sheet (below) for further information
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| Declaration details |
- prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) is a declared Class 1 species under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. O. ficus-indica is not declared. O. Stricta, O. aurantiaca, O. monacantha, O. tomentosa and O. streptacantha species are Class 2 declared species
- control of declared pests is required by landholders
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| Further information |
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Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 27 May 2011
