Cylindropuntia tunicate or Thistle Cholla or ‘Suigdoring’ is a potentially invasive cactus, the growth of which is expanding rapidly in areas of the Karoo. This cactus is a serious threat to the sheep and Angora goat industry, to the people who live in this area, to the wildlife as well as the domestic animals.
This plant is a green low-growing densely branched shrub with cylindrical sharp spiny segments. The spines are white and sharp and covered with a papery sheath, and the flowers are yellow green in colour.
The immediate danger of this plant, a member of the Cactaceae family is its ability to take over the grazing area, and to cripple animals both domestic and wild.
The plant has an amazing ability to spread itself by breaking off into small pieces as animals or people knock against it and re-rooting itself where ever it falls. The spines or ‘thorns’ then adhere to the animals or to people’s clothing in an almost ‘sucking’ attachment, hence the name ‘suigdoring’, the spines are extremely painful and difficult to remove.
The ‘suigdoring’ is not easily destroyed. The plant has to be physically removed out of the ground and burnt. In Australia environmentalists are scientifically experimenting with eco-friendly ways of removing this plant.
This plant is a green low-growing densely branched shrub with cylindrical sharp spiny segments. The spines are white and sharp and covered with a papery sheath, and the flowers are yellow green in colour.
The immediate danger of this plant, a member of the Cactaceae family is its ability to take over the grazing area, and to cripple animals both domestic and wild.
The plant has an amazing ability to spread itself by breaking off into small pieces as animals or people knock against it and re-rooting itself where ever it falls. The spines or ‘thorns’ then adhere to the animals or to people’s clothing in an almost ‘sucking’ attachment, hence the name ‘suigdoring’, the spines are extremely painful and difficult to remove.
The ‘suigdoring’ is not easily destroyed. The plant has to be physically removed out of the ground and burnt. In Australia environmentalists are scientifically experimenting with eco-friendly ways of removing this plant.
In Aberdeen it is frightening to see how the ‘suigdoring’ is taking over vast areas. Behind the Aberdeen cemetery there is virtually a low growing forest of this plant, growing down onto the river bank. In the town area, it is in the school grounds, behind the new Agri Building, and it is now taking over the Aberdeen golf course.
The Aberdeen Municipality should regard the removal of this plant as an urgent priority.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is taking this problem seriously, and the Regional co-coordinator for ‘Early Detection Programme’ Barbara Mashope, has requested concerned residents and farm owners to contact her at 021-799-8678 or email: B.Mashope@sanbi.org.za should they be aware of any outbreak of this plant.
The Aberdeen Municipality should regard the removal of this plant as an urgent priority.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is taking this problem seriously, and the Regional co-coordinator for ‘Early Detection Programme’ Barbara Mashope, has requested concerned residents and farm owners to contact her at 021-799-8678 or email: B.Mashope@sanbi.org.za should they be aware of any outbreak of this plant.
Article By: Joan Tinker
