This introduced shrub
is commonly known as
prickly pear.
Opuntia stricta
is described as a "dicot"
in the
Cactaceae
family.
In the Queensland Nature Conservation Act it is not classified as it is not native to Queensland.
Under the Federal Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act it is not classified.
A category 3 resticted invasive plant under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014. Also observed on K'gari (Fraser Island) and Big Woody Islandhttps://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/101448126
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/103288351
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/111387293
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/206506707
Some records of Opuntia stricta may actually be Opuntia anahuacensis which is currently not recorded in Australia (https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/583278).
It has been recorded in the Wide Bay district in the Queensland Herbarium Census and is
listed as occurring in the Fraser Coast region in the Atlas of Living Australia.
Reported at 18 Fraser Coast localities: Dundowran Beach, Yengarie, Point Vernon, Urraween, Toogoom, Urangan, Doongul, Craignish, Gigoomgan, Island Plantation, Maryborough, Tinana, Mount Urah, Great Sandy Strait, Burrum Heads, Glenbar, Boompa, River Heads.
Fraser Coast distribution based on field reports.
AVH
