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Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Authors

G. R. W. Meadly

Keywords

Western Australia, Weeds, Contaminants, Identification, Prickly pear, Opuntia spp.

First Page Number

297

Last Page Number

302

ISSN

0021-8618

Abstract

The prickly pears are native to America, but, following settlement of that country by the white man, have been introduced to many other parts of the world. Besides presenting a problem in their natural habitat, their increase to the extent of becoming serious weeds has occurred in South Africa, India, Ceylon, Madagascar and Australia. The spread of prickly pears has been due to three main reasons—firstly the establishment of the cochineal industry, secondly the edible nature of the fruit and thirdly the curious form of the plants along with their attractive flowers, which have encouraged their cultivation as garden subjects.

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