Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (Lam.) Backeb.

Synonyms

Cactus cylindricus Lam.
Opuntia cylindrica (Lam.) DC.

Family

Cactaceae

Common Names

cane cactus, coral cactus

Origin

Native to parts of western South America (i.e. Ecuador and Peru).

Naturalised Distribution

Naturalised in some inland parts of south-eastern Australia (i.e. in inland central New South Wales, in some inland parts of South Australia and in central and western Victoria).

Notes

This species has escaped cultivation and become a minor environmental weed in the drier parts of south-eastern Australia. It is a potential weed of grasslands, shrublands and open woodlands, particularly in semi-arid regions. Coral cactus (Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica) was recently listed as a priority environmental weed one Natural Resource Management region, though this may have been through confusion with another species (see note below).

Note: Boxing glove cactus (Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata) has often been confused with this species, particularly in western Queensland where it is also known as "coral cactus", but also in Western Australia. However, coral cactus (Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica) is not known to be naturalised in these states.