Prickly Pear

Description:

Opuntia, commonly called prickly pear, is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. It is an invasive species in Australia and very tough to eradicate, given that it's so widespread and conditions here suit it perfectly. It is also opportunistic, as you can see here with my spotting. This little one has taken up residence high up in the fork of a burned-out gum tree. Not the most fertile or well-watered of locations, but there seems to be a niche for everything in nature, including this little prickly pear. I looks healthy enough. On my hike I saw very few prickly pears around the lake, and am surprised I even spotted this one, given its size and height above the ground.

Habitat:

Native bushland in the hills above Lake Manchester, a freshwater reservoir to the west of Brisbane. It is located in Brisbane Forest Park, an area of dense native bushland and subtropical rainforest. This spotting was in an exposed, sunny location.

Notes:

An interesting list of Opuntia species now naturalised in Australia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prickly_pe... Sounds so similar to lantana in this country. If you can't eradicate it, naturalise it. One species in particular (Opuntia stricta) was imported into Australia in the 19th century for use as a natural agricultural fence, and was also an attempt to establish a cochineal dye industry. Many Opuntia species, especially the Tiger Pear, quickly became widespread invasive species, rendering 40,000 km2 (15,000 sq mi) of farming land unproductive. The moth Cactoblastis cactorum from South America, whose larvae eat prickly pear, was introduced in 1925 and almost wiped out the population. Almost! Here's another good reference - https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industri...