Common Prickly Pear
Common name
Common Prickly Pear
Scientific Name
Opuntia stricta
Type of plant
Tree And Shrub Weeds
About this weed
This high priority weed is a Declared Plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 and has therefore documented control strategies in place. Originally an endemic of the subtropical and tropical coastal areas of the Americas and the Caribbean and was imported into Australia in the 19th century for use as a natural agricultural fence and in an attempt to establish a cochineal dye industry. It has become naturalised in many parts of the State and is still found in gardens in the older inner Perth suburbs. Infestations have been recorded as far north as Karratha and east to Esperance.
Description
This invasive weed is an erect or sprawling shrub up to 2 m in height. It produces lemon yellow flowers in the spring and summer, followed by purplish-red, edible fruits.
Impact on Bushland
Opuntia stricta is considered an invasive species in Australia. It is quick to colonize hot, open environments with sandy soils.
Location
Prickly Pear is distributed sparsely across mainly drier areas of the state.It prefers sandy soils.
Priority for removal
High: If left will spread over bushland and impact on ecological processes and plant communities.
Management (hand)
In Australia it has been the subject of one of the first really effective biological control exercises using the moth Cactoblastis cactorum. It was declared a Weed of National Significance by the Australian Weeds Committee in April 2012, but continues to be kept under control by the use of the Cactoblastis moth and a Cochineal insect, Dactylopius opuntiae.
Management (herbicide)
Not available.
Flowering month/s
January, September, October, November, December
Flower colour/s
Yellow
Information source
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5227 and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prickly_pears_in_Australia
Additional information
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pests-weeds-diseases/weeds/declared-plants
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pests-weeds-diseases/weeds/weeds-national-significance
