Mission Cactus Mystery (solved)
This is Bevan’s Cactus Gardens in Lightning Ridge and immediately opens up a mystery. The sign beside this Cactus calls it an Indian Fig or Mission Cactus and clearly says it is not a prickly pear. A check of Dr. Google and Wikipedia under those names tells me they, along with another common name of Barbary Fig belong to the family “Opuntia ficus-indica” (as per the top of the sign) which is clearly the very same prickly pear as we know it that the cactoblastis moth was sent to wipe out and failed somewhat as it is still very common in the Aussie bush in eastern states. The Wiki article and other shots on google under these names, giving it the higher classification of Prickly Pear also show the common prickly pear.
Local Queenslander and Flickr member Kevin Dickinson has the knowledge we need to clear this up. He has supplied quite a lot of information below which sheds great light on this mystery and I will leave the info below for you to read and also follow a link to his album of lovely succulents. Thanks very much Kevin.
Here is the wiki link
Mission Cactus Mystery (solved)
This is Bevan’s Cactus Gardens in Lightning Ridge and immediately opens up a mystery. The sign beside this Cactus calls it an Indian Fig or Mission Cactus and clearly says it is not a prickly pear. A check of Dr. Google and Wikipedia under those names tells me they, along with another common name of Barbary Fig belong to the family “Opuntia ficus-indica” (as per the top of the sign) which is clearly the very same prickly pear as we know it that the cactoblastis moth was sent to wipe out and failed somewhat as it is still very common in the Aussie bush in eastern states. The Wiki article and other shots on google under these names, giving it the higher classification of Prickly Pear also show the common prickly pear.
Local Queenslander and Flickr member Kevin Dickinson has the knowledge we need to clear this up. He has supplied quite a lot of information below which sheds great light on this mystery and I will leave the info below for you to read and also follow a link to his album of lovely succulents. Thanks very much Kevin.
Here is the wiki link