NQ DRY TROPICS WEED FREE pg . 71
PRICKLY PEAR
Opuntia monacantha , O . stricta , O . tomentosa
DESCRIPTION
The term ‘ prickly pear ’ relates to the fruit that is often spiny and pear shaped .
Leaves it ’ s a leafless succulent shrub but stems are flat segments that can be incorrectly called leaves . Young shoots have true leaves resembling small fleshy scales that fall off as it matures .
Flowers are large , normally seen during spring and are yellow , orange , red , pink , purple or white . Fruit can be red , purple , orange , yellow or green . Spots with clusters of spines are found on the segments of the stem and fruit . Each of these spots contains a growing point that can produce roots or shoots .
Fruits located on the ground can also take root and produce shoots . Seeds have hard coats that allow them to survive heat and lack of water .
Habitat they are wide spread throughout the brigalow and other woodlands .
Weed characteristics it is drought resistant . Some species develop underground bulbs that enable the plant to resist fire and mechanical damage .
Dispersal seeds are spread by birds and animals eating the fruit and excreting the seed . Floods can also move broken segments long distances . Any part of the plant located on the ground can take root and produce shoots .
BIOSECURITY MATTER
Restricted . This species is Category 3 Restricted matter under Queensland Legislation .
HOW TO ACT
Hot fires , foliar spraying and chemical injection in the plant work well on infestations . Mechanical treatments are not effective and can spread the weed further . The best long term control is biological . However , this is often not effective in coastal areas subject to salt-laden wind .
CACTUS PRICKLY PEAR