Prickly pears - Cylindropuntias (Cylindropuntia species)

Also known as: Opuntioid cacti

Cylindropuntia species are part of the group of Opuntioid Cacti that are Weeds of National Significance.

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How does this weed affect you?

Cylindropuntia species are native to south western USA, Mexico and the West Indies. They are large succulent perennials with the potential to encroach on rangelands and native vegetation in the drier parts of the state. Many of the species have easily detachable segments which aids their ability to spread.

Cylindropuntia species are part of the group of opuntioid cacti that are Weeds of National Significance in Australia, and a number of individual species are problematic in NSW. See Related weeds for details.

Where is it found?

Cylindropuntias are present in most regions of NSW except for the South East.

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Prickly pears - Cylindropuntias 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 Cylindropuntia, click on the links at the top of the page.

Herbicide options

Contact your local council weeds officer for control advice for Prickly pears - Cylindropuntias (Cylindropuntia 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 Cylindropuntia genus have this requirement
Central Tablelands	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. All species in the Cylindropuntia genus have this requirement except Rope pear Cylindropuntia imbricata.
Central West	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication) 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.
Hunter	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication) Notify local control authority if found. 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.
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