Red-flowered prickly pear

Family: Cactaceae
Scientific name: Opuntia elatior
Description: Plant Form Erect succulent prickly shrub. Size Up to 5 m tall. Stem Greyish or olive green, smooth, often with wavy edges. With needle-like dark brown spines 2-4 cm long clustered in groups of 2-8.. Leaves Scale like on new growth and short lived. Flowers 3-5 cm across, bright red or orange with red stripes. Fruit and Seeds Barrel-shaped to oval-shaped, 2-4 cm long. Reddish to pinkish. Habitat Grasslands, arid areas, scrublands, agricultural areas, coastal scrub. Distinguishing Features Red stripes on flowers and dark brown spines distinguish from other Opuntioid cacti (Opuntia species). Weed Status: Priority Weed Weed Type: Environmental, Agricultural, Common, Invasive Garden Escapee Lifeform: Cacti/succulent

Example images for this weed