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Family: Cactaceae Scientific name: Opuntia species Description: Plant Form: Succulent prickly shrubs or small trees. Size: Up to 10 m tall. Stem: Jointed, succulent, usually flattened, cylindrical, club shaped, or compressed, with stout spines. Leaves: Scale like on new growth and short lived. Flowers: Usually solitary or stalkless, showy and large. With colourful petal-like tepals. Fruit and Seeds: Dry or juicy, attached to the flattened stems, sometimes in chains, sometimes spiny. Habitat: Wide ranging but generally open and dry grasslands and woodlands. Distinguishing Features: Clusters of detachable bristles in spots on stem segments distinguish from other Cacti (Cactaceae). Weed Status: Priority Weed Weed Type: Lifeform: Cacti/succulent
