Bunny ears

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Scientific name

Opuntia microdasys

Other names

• Golden bristle cactus, polka dot cactus

Description

• Dense shrub 40–60cm tall, occasionally more.
• Stems are pad-like, 6–15cm long, 4–12cm wide.
• No central stem, pads always grow in pairs, giving appearance of bunny ears.
• Has no spines, but instead has numerous white or yellow glochids (hair-like prickles), 2–3mm long, in dense clusters.
• Flowers are yellow, 3cm wide.
• Fruits are fleshy, globular, 3cm long, red-purple.

Habitat

• Prefers open habitats in arid and semi-arid rangeland.
• Potential to become abundant and widespread in Queensland.

Distribution

• Found all over Queensland, including Willows Gemfields, Emerald, Springsure, Mackay, Sarina, Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Life cycle

• Vegetative spread occurs all year when segments break off, fall to ground and start growing.
• Drought-resistant, they survive where other plants cannot and are easily transported by animals, people, water and vehicles.

Plants affected

• Native plants

Impacts

Environmental

• Forms extensive, dense stands, much like prickly pear cactus.

Economic

• Reduces agricultural productivity over large areas of arid and semi-arid grazing land.

How it is spread

• Spread by movement of broken plant segments or dumping of garden waste.

Prevention

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

Control

Physical control

• Physical control is effective.
• Care needs to be taken due to spiny nature of plant. Small isolated plants are easier to remove than large infestations. All parts of plants need to be removed, which can be difficult because plant readily drops segments that will start new colonies.
• Physical removal involves removing all plant material for destruction. Once removed, plants need to be treated with herbicides, left to dry, then burnt or deep buried.

Fire

• Hot fires can kill plants, although regrowth may occur.
• This could be an option for thick infestations but Biosecurity Queensland should be consulted to see if this option is viable for your situation.

Herbicide control

• No herbicide is currently registered for control of bunny ears in Queensland; however, an off-label use permit (PER11463) allows use of various herbicides to control invasive plants in non-agricultural areas, bushland, forests, wetlands, and coastal and adjacent areas.

Read the bunny ears fact sheet for herbicide control and application rates.

Legal requirements

• Bunny ears is a category 2, 3, 4 and 5 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. You must not:
  • move it
  • keep it
  • give it away
  • sell it
  • release it into the environment.

If you do any of these, penalties may apply.

• You must take all reasonable and practical measures that are under your control to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with dealing with bunny ears. This is part of your general biosecurity obligation.
• You must report any sightings within 24 hours using 1 of these methods:
  • Report online.
  • Phone Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
  • Phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
  • Contact your local government.

Each local government must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants in its area. This plan may include actions to be taken for bunny ears. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local government for more information.

Further information

• Contact us online, by phone or in person.
• Read the bunny ears cactus fact sheet.
• Watch a video about how to identify bunny ears.
• Watch a video about how to identify blind cactus.
• Watch a video about invasive cactus in Queensland.