Prickly pears - Austrocylindropuntias (Austrocylindropuntia species)

Also known as: Opuntioid cacti

Prickly pears in the Austrocylindropuntia genus originate from South America, and are large succulent members of the opuntioid cacti group. Along with their relatives in the Opuntia and Cylindropuntia genera, they have been declared Weeds of National Significance in Australia.

Profile

How does this weed affect you?

Prickly pears in the Austrocylindropuntia genus originate from South America, and are large succulent members of the opuntioid cacti group. Along with their relatives in the Opuntia and Cylindropuntia genera, they have been declared Weeds of National Significance in Australia. Austrocylindropuntia species differ from Cylindropuntia species in that they lack papery sheaths on their spines.

See Related weeds for details of individual Austrocylindropuntia species.

Where is it found?

Plants have been found growing in many regions of NSW. They have been found in coastal regions from the North to South Coast with many around Sydney. These prickly pears have also been found in central and western NSW. 

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Prickly pears - Austrocylindropuntias during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2024)
  These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
  
  

More information

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Control

Herbicide options

Contact your local council weeds officer for control advice for Prickly pears - Austrocylindropuntias (Austrocylindropuntia species).

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Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
All of NSW	Prohibition on certain dealings Must not be imported into the state, sold, bartered, exchanged or offered for sale. All species in the Austrocylindropuntia genus have this requirement
Hunter	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Prevention) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found.
Murray	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Prevention) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

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Reviewed 2023