Cylindropuntia rosea
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| Cylindropuntia rosea | ||||||||||||||
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| Cylindropuntia rosea |
Cylindropuntia rosea also known as Hudson Pear, is a native cactus of Arizona and Mexico. This pest is spreading from the opal fields around Lightning Ridge, New South Wales and is also found in Western Australia and Queensland. This invading plant is by spread stem pieces that have attached to rubber tyres, shoes, humans etc and possibly by fruits. It has long, strong spines that are capable of piercing tyres and can grow up to 1.5m high and 3m wide. Animals are particularly at risk from injury caused by the spines.
This pest now infests around 60,000ha around Lightning Ridge, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Barradine, Coonamble, and Goodooga.[1]
The Lightning Ridge Miners Association has been supplying backpacks of herbicide to miners for use where they work and live. The NSW Government has spent $200,000 on management of this weed. Investigations are also being made into the possible use of a biological control agent.[2]
Spraying has reduced the occurrence of this weed in the Lightning Ridge area, but constant follow up spraying will be needed for further control.
[edit] References
FarmOnline: http://www.farmonline.com.au/news_daily.asp?ag_id=29530
ABC News: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/14/2137702.htm
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