Wheel cactus, Opuntia robusta Jumping cholla, Cylindropuntia

Invasive Cacti
Invasive cacti are a serious threat to
biodiversity and agricultural systems within
rangeland regions. The key features listed may
assist you to identify these prickly invaders.
Wheel cactus, Opuntia robusta
Tiger pear, Opuntia aurantiaca Key identifying feature: up to 2m high,
blue-green circular pads up to 40cm across,
1-5 spines around each areole (eye).
2
1
7
Jumping cholla, Cylindropuntia prolifera
Key identifying feature: drooping thin, light
green, oblong segments, reddish tinge on
segment edges, 1-2 light brown spines up to
4cm long surround each areole (eye).
2
3
Devils rope, Cylindropuntia imbricata
Key identifying feature: multi-branched
up to 2m high segments have appearance
of plaited rope, 2-3cm long spines have a
detached papery sheath, dull red to purple
flowers.
2
Opuntia elata
shrub
1
4
1
Coral cactus, Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata
Key identifying feature: similar to wheel
cactus, Opuntia robusta, but with low
creeping habit.
8
5
Key identifying feature: low growing
multi-branched plant with rope-like
segments densely covered in
sharp, stout white spines up to 4cm,
pink flowers.
6
Photo credits key: 1 - G Patrick 2 - A Harvey
Key identifying feature: erect plant up to
1m high, inverted teardrop shaped segments,
tufts of short barbed bristles surround each
areole (eye).
up to 1.5m
cylindrical
extremely
long and
- R Holtkamp 4 - N Wilson 5 - M Chuk 6 - J Hosking
1
Common pest pear, Opuntia stricta
1
3
1
Opuntia engelmannii var. cuija
Key identifying feature: erect cactus up to 1.5m
high with distorted pads which have a corrugated
surface and short 1.5cm white to brown spines
around each areole (eye).
Hudson pear, Cylindropuntia rosea
2
Key identifying feature: multi-branched
shrub to 2m high. Segments spatula shaped,
15-25cm long, 4-9cm wide, glossy green
sometimes with a purple tinge. Spines absent
or one short spine present at some areoles (eyes).
easily
1
7
Drooping prickly pear, Opuntia monocantha
Key identifying feature: erect plant up to 2m
high with cylindrical rope-like segments and
2cm long straw coloured spines.
3
Key identifying feature: low creeping
plant with easily detached segments
up to 30cm long, groups of 3-7 brown
barbed spines surround each areole
(eye).
1
7
8
- L Tanner (Web) 8 - T Bowman
Members of the SA Opuntia Taskforce
Government of South Australia
South Australian Arid Lands Natural
Resources Management Board
SA Arid Lands NRM Board
SA Murray Darling NRM Board
Northern and Yorke NRM Board
Eyre Peninsula NRM Board
Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation