Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Opuntia elatior Mill.

Synonyms

Opuntia bergeriana A. Weber ex A. Berger

Family

Cactaceae

Common Names

prickly pear, red-flower prickly pear

Origin

Native to Central America (i.e. Costa Rica and Panama), the Caribbean and tropical South America (i.e. Venezuela and Colombia).

Naturalised Distribution

This species is scattered throughout many parts of southern and central Australia. It has been recorded as naturalised in south-eastern Queensland, in some parts of New South Wales, in Victoria, in some parts of South Australia and in the southern parts of the Northern Territory. However, it is poorly collected and its distribution may be more widespread than herbarium collections would indicate (e.g. there are also reports that it is naturalised on offshore islands in Western Australia).

Notes

Red-flower prickly pear (Opuntia elatior) is regarded as a potential environmental weed or "sleeper weed" in many parts of Australia. Like other prickly pears (Opuntia spp.), this species is spread by bird-dispersed seeds and can form dense thickets of fleshy segments. It is mainly seen as a potential problem in semi-arid areas and drier coastal habitats.