Long spine cactus

Long spine cactus

Austrocylindropuntia sabulata

Common Name:

Long spine cactus

Scientific Name:

Austrocylindropuntia sabulata


Alternative common names:

Langdoring (Afrikaans) and Long-spine cactus (English)

Description:

Long spine cactus is a large tree-like cactus, evergreen plant, spiny, branched succulent shrub, 2-5m high. Alternate -elongated, 30-60 long, curved, fleshy and persistence.Up to 4 m tall with round cylindrical joints, up to 60 cm tall and 4 - 6.5 cm thick, followed by reddish to red fruits up to 10 cm long. 

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

South America (Peru)

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

NEMBA Category 1b

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Gauteng

How does it spread?

It spread by seeds dispersal

Why is it a problem?

It outcompetes with the indigenous species

What does it look like?

Leaves: evergreen wide leaves, elongated 30-60 or 120 mm long, curved, fleshy and persistent.

Flowers: terminal on cladodes, orange or greenish-yellow.

Fruit/seeds: green, pear-shaped, about 90 mm long, but usually sterile.

Does the plant have any uses?

Cultivated as an ornamental or as live hedge

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