What is the name of the genus of cactus that is known as prickly pear?
Q: What is the name of the genus of cactus that is known as prickly pear?
A: The genus of cactus that is known as prickly pear is Opuntia.
Q: Where did the genus get its name from?
A: The genus was named after the Ancient Greek city of Opus.
Q: When were prickly pears originally imported into Australia?
A: Prickly pears were originally imported into Australia in the 18th century for gardens.
Q: How did they become a widespread invasive weed?
A: They quickly became a widespread invasive weed by changing 101,000 sq mi (260,000 km2) of farming land into an impenetrable green jungle of prickly pear, in places 20 ft (6.1 m) high.
Q: What was established to coordinate efforts with state governments to eradicate this weed?
A: In 1919, the Australian federal government established the Commonwealth Prickly Pear Board to coordinate efforts with state governments to eradicate this weed.
Q: What method was used when mechanical removal and poisonous chemicals failed?
A: When mechanical removal and poisonous chemicals failed, biological control was attempted.
Q: What organism from South America was introduced to reduce the population of prickly pears in Australia?
A: A moth called Cactoblastis cactorum from South America was introduced in 1925 and rapidly reduced the population of prickly pears in Australia.
