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Opuntia aurantiaca
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species:
O. aurantiaca
Binomial name
Opuntia aurantiaca

Opuntia aurantiaca, commonly known as tiger-pear, jointed cactus or jointed prickly-pear, is a species of cactus from South America. [2] The species occurs naturally in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and is considered an invasive species in Africa and Australia. [2]

It was declared a Weed of National Significance by the Australian Weeds Committee in April 2012, and was reported by the Committee to be the most troublesome of all cactus species in New South Wales and the worst Opuntia species in Queensland. It is currently controlled biologically in Australia using the cochineal insect Dactylopius austrinus, and to a lesser extent by the larvae of two moths, Cactoblastis cactorum and Tucumania tapiacola.

See also

References

  1. ^ Oakley, L.; Pin, A. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Opuntia aurantiaca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T152714A121606355. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152714A121606355.en. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Opuntia aurantiaca". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 9 April 2011.