Cactaceae

Opuntia species

Common Names: Opuntia cacti

Plant Form: Succulent prickly shrubs or small trees. Size: Up to 10 m tall. Stem: Jointed, succulent, usually flattened, cylindrical, club shaped, or compressed, with stout spines. Leaves: Scale like on new growth and short lived. Flowers: Usually solitary or stalkless, showy and large. With colourful petal-like tepals. Fruit and Seeds: Dry or juicy, attached to the flattened stems, sometimes in chains, sometimes spiny. Habitat: Wide ranging but generally open and dry grasslands and woodlands. Distinguishing Features: Clusters of detachable bristles in spots on stem segments distinguish from other Cacti (Cactaceae). Impacts: Forms dense impenetrable patches, harbours pests, spines can injure humans or animals, hinder native plant growth.