Cactaceae

Opuntia elata

Common Names: Riverina pear

Plant Form: Multi-branched shrubby succulent. Size: Up to 2 m tall. Stem: Erect, glossy-green pads 5-25 cm long, sometimes with purplish tinge. With no or few short spines in cluster of 1-3. Flowers: Orange, 3-4 cm wide. Fruit and Seeds: Club-shaped, up to 6 cm long, purplish-red in appearance. Habitat: Grasslands, floodplains, rangelands, arid areas. Distinguishing Features: Indian fig (Opuntia ficus-indica) has larger pads, Common pear (O. stricta) has duller green pads, and Velvet tree pear (O. tomentosa) has velvety hairs on fruit and pads.

Yellow flowers

Few big spines or no spines

Red fruit and often red spots

Growth habit