Family: Cactaceae

High Risk Traits:

• High Risk / Undesirable Traits
  
• Grows in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai (Hawaiian Islands), Queensland, Australia and New Caledonia
  
• A weed of deer breeding farms in New Caledonia
  
• An environmental weed in Australia
  
• Spiny
  
• Tolerates some shade
  
• Clambering over other vegetation
  
• Forms dense thickets
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively (rooting at branch tips)
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, other animals and intentionally by people
  
• Resprouts after cutting (unless treated with herbicide)

Low Risk Traits:

• Non-toxic (edible fruit and stems if spines are removed)
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control