Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Muehlenpf.) Backeb.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Camp Amalinda, Matobo

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Synonyms:	Austrocylindropuntia exaltata (A. Berger) Backeb. Opuntia exaltata O. Berger
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Introduced; doubtfully naturalized
Description:	Much-branced, spiny, succulent shrub, 2-5 m high. Cladodes curved cylindrical, tuberculate. Spines clustered 1-3 together arising from white woolly pits, straight an solid, up to 5o mm long, yellowish-brown. Leaves fleshy, up to 12 cm long but usually only up to 6 cm , persistent. Flower orange-red or greenish-yellow. Fruit pear-shaped, c. 9 cm long.
Type location:
Notes:	Several specimens seen around Camp Amalinda in the Matobo Hills that looked rather well naturalized. This species is listed as a declared weed and a potential transformer in South Africa. It is also known as an invasive species in parts of Kenya and Tanzania.
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	Planted in wild looking rocky areas in safari camps and possibly escaping.
Altitude range: (metres)	1300 - 1400 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Native in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia
National distribution:	W
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Saturday 27 December 2014
Literature:	Bromilow, C. (2010). Problem Plants and Alien Weeds of South Africa Briza Publications, South Africa Page 53. Henderson, L. (2001). Alien weeds and invasive plants Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook No. 12. Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa. Page 88. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Austrocylindropuntia subulata:

Our websites:

Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Austrocylindropuntia subulata

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Austrocylindropuntia subulata
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Austrocylindropuntia subulata
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Austrocylindropuntia subulata
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Austrocylindropuntia subulata
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Austrocylindropuntia subulata
JSTOR Plant Science: Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Plants of the World Online: Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Tropicos: Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Wikipedia: Austrocylindropuntia subulata