Opuntioid cacti


Photo: PIRSA		Opuntioid cacti Cylindropuntia, Austrocylindropuntia and Opuntia* species and cultivars Succulent Plants South Australia Region

	These succulent, spined cactii have green cylindrical or pad-shaped stems and are usually leafless. Most produce flowers of various colours and colourful, fleshy fruit. They compete with native vegetation, forming prickly thickets limiting access by stock, humans and vehicles and can injure lifestock and native wildlife. (Note: Opuntia ficus-indica is exempt)

HOW IT SPREADS Cylindropuntia species are mainly established as weeds close to localities where they were formerly planted. The fruit are eaten by birds and some mammals, which effectively disperse the seed of some species over wider areas. As the stem segments are spiny they can be carried on livestock and vehicles. Infestations can also start when live plants or their stems are dumped with garden waste. The plants disperse down watercourses when detached stem segments and whole small plants are carried in runoff water.





Additional suggested alternatives: Chagualillo (Puya venusta), Queen of the Night (Cereus gregii)

Alternative Plants


Photo: © immij pty ltd		Agave, Century Plant, Foxtail Agave attenuata Succulent Plants

	Upright habit on a tall stem. Heads to 0.9 m with stems up to 1.5 m. Clumping habit when young. It is an ideal specimen for pots and very popular accent plant. Extremely hardy and can withstand extremes in temperature. This specimen has high architectural appeal.

Photo:Cactus Creations		Mexican Fence Post Pachycereus marginatus Succulent Plants

	Pachycereus marginatus is a cactus known for its deurability in heat, with columnar trunks that grow slowly up to 3.5m. Stems are up to 10cm in diameter, with 5 to 7 ribs. Flowers are green, flushed with pink. Requires full sun. An excellent feature container plant.

Photo: © immij pty ltd		Spineless Yucca, Soft Tipped Yucca Yucca elephantipes Succulent Plants

	A small, evergreen tree that is one of the most versatile indoor and outdoor foliage plants. It develops a thick, branching trunk reminiscent of an elephant's foot. Mid-greed leaves are leathery and finely toothed. Adaptable to a wide range of climates and conditions and is drought, salt and frost tolerant. This specimen has high architectural appeal.

Photo: Cactus Creations		Torch cactus Echinopsis spachiana Succulent Plants

	Echinopsis spachiana grows as a columnar-formed cactus, reaching 2m high, with a diameter of 5 to 6cm. Vertical branches arise from the base of the plant. Each column has 10–15 rounded ribs. The large areoles are around 1 cm apart, and have wavy yellow hairs. The straight spines are red-yellow initially, fading to white as they age. The large white tubular flowers appear in November to January and open at night.