Summary.mw-parser-output table.commons-file-information-table,.mw-parser-output.fileinfotpl-type-information{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;background-color:#f8f9fa;padding:5px;font-size:95%;border-spacing:2px;box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;width:100%}.mw-parser-output table.commons-file-information-table>tbody>tr,.mw-parser-output.fileinfotpl-type-information>tbody>tr{vertical-align:top}.mw-parser-output table.commons-file-information-table>tbody>tr>td,.mw-parser-output table.commons-file-information-table>tbody>tr>th,.mw-parser-output.fileinfotpl-type-information>tbody>tr>td,.mw-parser-output.fileinfotpl-type-information>tbody>tr>th{padding:4px}.mw-parser-output.fileinfo-paramfield{background:#ccf;text-align:right;padding-right:0.4em;width:15%;font-weight:bold}.mw-parser-output.commons-file-information-table+table.commons-file-information-table,.mw-parser-output.commons-file-information-table+div.commons-file-information-table>table{border-top:0;padding-top:0;margin-top:-8px}@media only screen and (max-width:719px){.mw-parser-output table.commons-file-information-table,.mw-parser-output.commons-file-information-table.fileinfotpl-type-information{border-spacing:0;padding:0;word-break:break-word;width:100%!important}.mw-parser-output.commons-file-information-table>tbody,.mw-parser-output.fileinfotpl-type-information>tbody{display:block}.mw-parser-output.commons-file-information-table>tbody>tr>td,.mw-parser-output.commons-file-information-table>tbody>tr>th,.mw-parser-output.fileinfotpl-type-information>tbody>tr>td,.mw-parser-output.fileinfotpl-type-information>tbody>tr>th{padding:0.2em 0.4em;text-align:left;text-align:start}.mw-parser-output.commons-file-information-table>tbody>tr,.mw-parser-output.fileinfotpl-type-information>tbody>tr{display:flex;flex-direction:column}.mw-parser-output.commons-file-information-table+table.commons-file-information-table,.mw-parser-output.commons-file-information-table+div.commons-file-information-table>table{margin-top:-1px}.mw-parser-output.fileinfo-paramfield{box-sizing:border-box;flex:1 0 100%;width:100%}} Description: Erect, succulent perennial cactus up to 2 m tall, but more commonly 1 m tall. Reproduces by seed and from branch segments. Segments flattened, covered with clumps of short tufts of hair and occasionally 1 spine in the axils of short-lived scale leaves. Flowers are pale yellow, forming pear shaped, purple to red fruit. Seeds germinate year-round. First flowers develop when plants are at least 3 years old. A native of tropical & subtropical America, it grows well in both exposed and semi-shaded situations. Adapted to a broad range of soil types and widespread especially in NSW and Qld. Dispersed by segments attaching to animals and machinery. Viable seeds spread in the droppings of birds, foxes and other animals. Invasive pest species that can threaten grazing and agriculture on productive land. Biological control is the most effective control method. There are two agents - cactoblastis (Cactoblastis cactorum) and cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae), which are more active in dry, warm areas of the state. Other control methods include ploughing, burning and chemical application. Date: 21 July 2014, 19:11. Source:
Opuntia stricta var stricta plant1. Author:
Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia.