Scientific Name: Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw.

Caption: Prickly pear

Photographer: John Tann

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31031835@N08/3236182688/

Locality: New South Wales, Australia (-30.61, 149.402)

Notes: 100 years ago prickly pear (Opuntia stricta) was a devastating invader in New South Wales and Queensland. Biological control using cactoblastis (Cactoblastis cactorum) and cochineal (Dactylopious opuntiae) has been effective at greatly reducing the impact of this cactus. This plant is in the Pilliga Forest, NSW Australia, January 2009.

Copyright: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Do you see an error or have a comment about this image?
If so, send email to: ben@greentheorystudio.com