Prickly pears - Opuntias (Opuntia species)

Also known as: Opuntioid cacti

Prickly pears (Opuntia species) are cactus plants that can invade natural areas and pastures. Opuntias must not be sold in NSW except for Indian fig Opuntia ficus-indica.

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How does this weed affect you?

The most commonly known members of the opuntoid cacti group referred to generally as prickly pears, Opuntia species were first introduced into Australia with the first fleet, via Brazil, to establish a cochineal dye industry. By 1920 Opuntia stricta had infested 23,000,000 hectares in NSW and Queensland. Half of the infested area was so densely covered it was useless for production and was abandoned by its owners. 

Opuntia species have been declared Weeds of National Signficance in Australia. See Related weeds for details of individual Opuntia species.

Where is it found?

Prickly pears are present in all regions of NSW from the coast to the far west.

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Prickly pears - Opuntias 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

For advice on how to control each individual species of Opuntia, click on the links at the top of the page.

Herbicide options

Contact your local council weeds officer for control advice for Prickly pears - Opuntias (Opuntia 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. For all Opuntia species except for Opuntia ficus-indica (Indian fig).
Central Tablelands	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. This Regional Recommended Measure applies to all species of Opuntia.
Central West	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. This Regional Recommended Measure applies to all species of Opuntia except for Opuntia ficus-indica (Indian fig).
Hunter	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. This Regional Recommended Measure applies to all species of Opuntia except for Opuntia ficus-indica. (Indian fig).
Murray	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Containment) Whole of region: Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. This Regional Recommended Measure applies to all species of Opuntia except for Opuntia ficus-indica. (Indian fig).
Western	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land A person should not buy, sell, move, carry, or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. This Regional Recommended Measure applies to all species of Opuntia except for Opuntia ficus-indica (Indian fig).
	*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