Title: Cylindropuntia tunicata (Lehm.) F. M. Knuth

Scientific Name:

Cylindropuntia tunicata (Lehm.) F. M. Knuth

Common Name:

Abrojo, sheathed cholla, chain-link cactus, Hudson pear

Cylindropuntia tunicata

Source & more images (via EOL)

Habitat: Found in sandy to gravelly substrates, usually calcareous slopes or alluvium (FNA 2002). Sandy grasslands. Highlands of central Mexico. In Ecuador, along river dominated by thorny shrubs. Sandy slopes, dry rocky slopes.

Distribution:



Original source via GBIF


Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT


1. Germination requirements? Although the literature reports that C. tunicata reproduces primarily vegetatively, information is lacking on the specifics of germination. ‘New plants can grow from any segment or fruit that comes into contact with the ground. Growth only occurs if conditions are suitable.’ (J. Hosking 2006. pers. comm., 19 June). Cultivation from seed is recommended to occur by sowing after the last frost (Dave’s Garden, 2005). This would indicate a seasonal component to the propagules requirements.

2. Establishment requirements? C. tunicata will grow in shade – not dense shade. (J. Hosking 2006. pers. comm., 19 June). Can establish under moderate canopy.

3. How much disturbance is required? Found in grasslands, very open woodlands and pastures (FNA 2005). Can establish in minor disturbed natural ecosystem.

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE


4. Life form? Perennial shrub (Benson 1982). Life form – other.

5. Allelopathic properties? None described.

6. Tolerates herb pressure? ‘Their spines readily penetrate the flesh of domestic grazing animals’ (WSC 2004). Currently ‘no effective biological controls available’ (Laity 2005). The similar species C. imbricata along with other Opuntia species are reported to eaten by rabbits and rodents particularly in times of drought (Bunting & Wright 1976). The species is damaged by the cochineal insect (a form of Dactylopius tomentosus) but appears to recover from the damage (Hosking, Conn & Lepschi 2006). Therefore the species may be consumed but is probably not preferred and is even able to recover form damage caused by the cochineal insect.

7. Normal growth rate? ‘If conditions are warm and wet plants grow rapidly. Segment number may double in a few months under suitable conditions.’ (J. Hosking 2006. pers. comm., 19 June). Moderately rapid growth rate that will equal competitive species of the same life form.

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? Drought-tolerant (Dave’s Garden 2005). Can withstand temperatures to -9.4°C (Dave’s Garden 2005).

REPRODUCTION


9. Reproductive system? Able to vegetatively reproduce (Laity 2005). C. tunicata ‘fruits usually sterile’ (FNA 2005). The primary mode of reproduction is vegetative, however, the species is capable of sexual reproduction if only in a limited capacity.

10. Number of propagules produced? Unknown.

11. Propagule longevity? The primary mode of reproduction is seen as vegetative.

12. Reproductive period? No specific data for this species. However, the majority of other Cactaceae sp. live longer than 10 years, and can reproduce vegetatively during this time (Bowers, Webb & Rondeau 1995).

13. Time to reproductive maturity? Through vegetative reproduction, plant can reach reproductive maturity in a few weeks (J. Hosking 2006. pers. comm., 19 June). Under a year.

DISPERSAL


14. Number of mechanisms? ‘Seed and vegetative propagules can be spread by water, animals and vehicles (Laity 2005). Joints easily detached (Britton & Rose 1919). Spread by water, animals and light vehicular traffic.

15. How far do they disperse? ‘Abrojo is able to easily spread via seed or break into segments and be carried by water, vehicle tyres and animals” (Laity 2005). Possible that many propagules will disperse 200 – 1000 metres via attachment to vehicles or mobile animals.


Impact Assessment

RECREATION


1. Restrict human access? ‘If uncontrolled the plant can also form relatively dense infestations that are unsafe for an animal to walk through’ (WSC 2004). Has ‘numerous, long, tough, sharp, sheathed spines, which can penetrate leather boots, vehicle tyres and animals’ and is difficult to control (Laity 2005). Grows to 60 cm (Britton & Rose 1919). Therefore would be of high nuisance value to people and due to the potential of puncturing tyres a major impediment to vehicles.

2. Reduce tourism? The species is mat forming cactus recorded in Eucalypt woodland (Hosking, Conn & Lepschi 2006). Spines can penetrate boots and vehicle tyres (Laity 2005). The species could therefore affect some recreational activities such as bush walking of 4W Driving.

3. Injurious to people? The species has spines that can be from 3-6 cm long (FNA 2007). Spines can penetrate boots and vehicle tyres (Laity 2005).

4. Damage to cultural sites? Unlikely to cause structural damage the species could have some impact on the aesthetics of an area. This has not however been reported

ABIOTIC


5. Impact flow? Terrestrial species.

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial species.

7. Increase soil erosion? Many of the Cylindropuntia spp. have fibrous root systems (Britton & Rose 1919). Unlikely to contribute to large scale soil movement.

8. Reduce biomass? The species is a mat forming cactus which if left uncontrolled can form relatively dense infestations (Hosking, Conn & Lepschi 2006; WSC 2004). Therefore if the species invades a relatively open habitat as it is reported to do it is likely to cause an increase in biomass.

9. Change fire regime? Due to the higher moisture content of succulents and therefore the decreases flammability of the plant tissue Invasion by Opuntia spp. may decrease fire frequency and intensity, however this has not been fully proven (Brooks et al 2004).

COMMUNITY HABITAT


10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC= semi-arid woodland (V); CMA=Mallee; Bioregion= Murray Mallee; CLIMATE potential=VH. ‘Bushy or mat-forming and creeping’ (Benson 1982). ‘If uncontrolled the plant can also form relatively dense infestations’ (WSC 2004). Minor displacement of some dominant species within the lower layer.

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC= semi-arid woodland (D); CMA=Mallee; Bioregion= Lowan Mallee; CLIMATE potential=VH. ‘Bushy or mat-forming and creeping’ (Benson 1982). ‘If uncontrolled the plant can also form relatively dense infestations’ (WSC 2004). Minor displacement of some dominant species within the lower layer.

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC= lowan sands mallee (LC); CMA=Mallee; Bioregion= Lowan Mallee; CLIMATE potential=VH. ‘Bushy or mat-forming and creeping’ (Benson 1982). ‘If uncontrolled the plant can also form relatively dense infestations’ (WSC 2004). Minor displacement of some dominant species within the lower layer.

11. Impact on structure? Tends to be found in grasslands or very open woodlands. ‘Bushy or mat-forming and creeping’ (Benson 1982). ‘If uncontrolled the plant can also form relatively dense infestations’ (WSC 2004). Minor effect on lower 20 – 60% of ground layer.

12. Effect on threatened flora? This species is not documented as posing an additional risk to threatened flora.

FAUNA


13. Effect on threatened fauna? Unknown

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? Unknown.

15. Benefits fauna? Weed not documented to provide benefits to desirable species.

16. Injurious to fauna? ‘Their spines readily penetrate the flesh of domestic grazing animals, thereby harming the animal’ (WSC 2004). Likely that the weed could also affect indigenous fauna. Large spines dangerous to fauna.

PEST ANIMAL


17. Food source to pests? The similar species C. imbracata is reported to be eaten by rabbits and rodents in the US especially during times of drought (Bunting & Wright 1976). Therefore C. tunicata may provide some food to pest species.

18. Provides harbor? The species is not reported to provide shelter to pest species, as it is a mat forming cactus with large spines it could have the potential to do so (Hosking, Conn & Lepschi 2006).

AGRICULTURE


19. Impact yield? Unknown; due to the species spines and matt forming nature, like other Opuntia species it may restrict grazing animals and therefore reduce the effective area of production (Hosking, Conn & Lepschi 2006; Pierper 1971).

20. Impact quality? Unknown; However, other similar Cylindropuntia species have been reported to reduce the quality of wool (Pierper 1971).

21. Affect land values? O. aurantiaca infestations ‘seriously inhibit pastoral activities and result in a marked devaluation in the price of infested land’ ‘Control can be very costly’ (Stirton 1978). Possible that C. tunicata could have a similar impact but no documented evidence.

22. Change land use? O. aurantiaca infestations ‘seriously inhibit pastoral activities and result in a marked devaluation in the price of infested land’ ‘Control can be very costly’ (Stirton 1978). Possible that C. tunicata could cause a change in priority of land use but no documented evidence.

23. Increase harvest costs? Their spines readily penetrate the flesh of domestic grazing animals, thereby harming the animal’ (WSC 2004). The species spines can penetrate tyres (Laity 2005).
Therefore extra care would need to be taken with stock near populations increasing time or labour and the damage the species could cause to tyres may increase maintenance costs.

24. Disease host/vector? Other Opunita species are reported as a host of Fruit fly (Blood 2001).




Feedback

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Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of The Weed's Network.






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Date: 14 November 2011; 9:11:05 PM AEDT

Author Name: David Low
Author ID: adminDavid