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 Queensland Herbarium Wildlife Online.
Reported at 18 Fraser Coast localities: Boompa, Burrum Heads, Craignish, Doongul, Dundowran Beach, Gigoomgan, Glenbar, Great Sandy Strait, Island Plantation, Maryborough, Mount Urah, Point Vernon, River Heads, Tinana, Toogoom, Urangan, Urraween, Yengarie.
Fraser Coast distribution based on unverified field reports.
AVH
