Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Legislation Notes

Scientific Name

Cylindropuntia fulgida (Engelm.) F.M. Knuth var. mamillata (Engelm.) Backeb.

Synonyms

Cylindropuntia fulgida (Engelm.) F.M. Knuth
Cylindropuntia fulgida (Engelm.) F.M. Knuth forma monstruosa P.V. Heath.
Cylindropuntia fulgida (Engelm.) F.M. Knuth var. mamillata (Schott ex Engelm.) Backeb. forma monstruosa P.V. Heath.
Opuntia fulgida Engelm.
Opuntia fulgida Engelm. var. mamillata (Schott ex Engelm.) J.M. Coulter
Opuntia mamillata Schott ex Engelm.

Family

Cactaceae

Common Names

boxing glove cactus, boxing-glove cactus, boxing glove cholla, club cactus, coral cactus, jumping cactus, jumping cholla, Sonoran jumping cholla

Origin

Native to south-western USA (i.e. Arizona) and northern Mexico.

Naturalised Distribution

This species is naturalised mainly in the drier inland regions of Australia. It has been recorded mainly in the western parts of New South Wales and Queensland, but is also occasionally naturalised in Western Australia and South Australia. Possibly also naturalised in the southern parts of Northern Territory.

Note: All naturalised populations in Australia are of the distorted (i.e. cristate) form known as Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata forma monstruosa, which does not produce flowers or fruit.

Legislation

Queensland: Class 2 - landowners must take all reasonable steps to keep land free of this species (throughout the entire state). It is also illegal to keep or sell a Class 2 plant without a permit.

Notes

Boxing glove cactus (Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata) is regarded as an environmental weed or potential environmental weed in parts of New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland.

At present it is not common or widespread, but over the last few years populations in New South Wales have rapidly increased in density and area. It is now locally common in and around the mining settlements of Broken Hill, Cumborah, Grawin and Lightning Ridge in New South Wales. If allowed to spread, it could replace more useful species and affect the pastoral value and natural biodiversity of semi-arid plant communities. It is also thought to have the potential to become a widespread and abundant pest throughout south-western Queensland.