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Prickly pears and opuntioid cacti (Opuntia, Cylindropuntia and Austrocylindropuntia spp.)

A group of introduced cacti with flat pads or cylindrical stems. Many have barbed spines that injure stock, people and wildlife, and broken segments readily take root.

Key facts

Type: Weed, cactus and succulent.

Native to: The Americas.

Established in: QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, SA, WA, NT.

Other names: Wheel cactus, Tiger pear, Coral cactus.

Identification

  • Succulent cacti with either flat, oval pads (prickly pears) or cylindrical, jointed stems (chollas).
  • Spines and fine barbed bristles (glochids) on the pads or stems.
  • Yellow, red or pink flowers and fleshy fruit.

Where it grows

Rangelands, rocky hills, woodlands and roadsides across inland Australia.

Why it matters

  • Injures stock, people, wildlife and working dogs.
  • Reduces pasture and access.
  • Wool and hide contamination.

How it spreads

  • Segments break off and attach to animals, vehicles and floodwater.
  • Birds and animals spread seed in fruit.
  • Garden plantings.

Control options

  • Injection or spray with registered herbicides.
  • Biological control: cochineal insects and cactoblastis moth for several species.
  • Never slash or mulch, as each piece can grow.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Check tyres, boots and dogs for attached segments.
  • Collect and destroy loose segments; do not leave them on site.
  • Inspect and clean vehicles, plant and footwear before leaving an infested area, paying attention to tyres, radiators, belly plates, tracks and floor mats.
  • Wash down at a designated bay where runoff is contained and can be monitored for seedlings.
  • Record each washdown so the client has evidence of clean entry and exit.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): Weed of National Significance. One of 32 nationally agreed priority weeds, managed through national strategies with all states and territories.
  • Queensland: Restricted matter, category 3 (most species prohibited). Established prickly pears such as common and tiger pear are category 3 restricted matter: do not give them away, sell or release them. Opuntia and related species not listed as restricted are prohibited matter. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Sale prohibited; Regional priority in 8 of 11 regions. It must not be imported into NSW or sold anywhere in the state. Regional priority weed in Central Tablelands, Central West, Greater Sydney, Hunter, Murray, North West, Northern Tablelands, Western. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Restricted weed for listed opuntioid cacti, with named Opuntia species regionally classified. Where it is a restricted weed, trade in it (including the plant, its seed or contaminated material) is prohibited.
  • South Australia: Declared plant. Depending on the declaration, it can be an offence to move it on public roads or sell it, and landowners may be required to control it on their land.
  • Western Australia: Declared pest (C1, C3), some species prohibited. C1 Exclusion: to be kept out of WA, or out of the parts of WA where it is not established. Report any sighting to DPIRD. C3 Management: landholders must manage it to reduce its impact and stop it spreading. Some species must not be brought into WA (prohibited organism).
  • Tasmania: Declared weed. Property managers are required by law to control declared weeds, and their import and sale are prohibited.
  • Northern Territory: Declared weed, Class A. Class A: to be eradicated. All declared weeds are also Class C, so they must not be brought into the NT.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Declared pest, prohibited. It is a declared pest throughout the ACT. Dealing with it, such as selling, moving or keeping it, is prohibited.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Australian Capital Territory: Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT), administered by ACT Biosecurity
  • Victoria: Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (Vic), administered by Agriculture Victoria
  • South Australia: Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA), administered by the regional landscape board
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Northern Territory: Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (NT), administered by NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

Sources