Eve's Needle Cactus
Austrocylindropuntia subulata
NEMBA: Category 1b
English: Eve's Needle Cactus, Long Spine Cactus, Eve’s Pin Cactus
Afrikaans: Langdoring
Misapplied or old scientific names: Opuntia subulata, Pereskia subulata, Opuntia exaltata, Cereus subulatus
Austrocylindropuntia subulata, or Eve's Needle, is a South American cactus that's become a prickly pest in some parts of South Africa. It's like a bunch of green sausages covered in spines, and it has pretty red flowers. But those spines are not friendly – so watch out!
Have you got a better picture?
If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)
Origins: Native to South America (Peru).
Overall appearance: An erect, branching, succulent shrub or small tree.
Height: Typically grows to 1-3 metres, sometimes taller.
Width: Can spread 1-2 metres wide.
Leaves: The leaves are tiny, scale-like, and don't last long, 2-6 mm long. They appear briefly on young stems. The green, fleshy stems do the photosynthesis.
Thorns or spines: Numerous long, sharp spines are present on the stems.
Flowers: The flowers are showy, 3-6 cm across, and usually bright red, sometimes orange or yellowish. They grow singly or in small groups along the stems.
Flowering season: Flowers mostly in spring and summer (September to February in South Africa).
Fruits: The fruit is a cylindrical to oval berry, 2-5 cm long, covered in spines. It's green when young, turning reddish or purplish when ripe.
Seeds: The seeds are small and black.
Bark: Not applicable to this succulent plant.
Wood: Not applicable to this succulent plant.
Soil type: Prefers well-drained soil, like sandy or rocky soils. It can handle dry conditions.
Aspect: Prefers full sun.
Edibility: The fruit might be edible (after removing the spines!), but it's not tasty and it's not recommended.
Toxicity: The spines can cause painful injuries.
Uses: Sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in dry gardens.
What birds it attracts: Not a major attractant for birds.
What insects it attracts: Bees and other pollinators may visit the flowers.
What mammals it attracts: Not a major attractant for mammals.
Fun Facts about Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Eve's Needle):
It looks like a bunch of green sausages with spines.
It has pretty red flowers.
It's a cactus.
It's from South America.
It's an invasive plant in South Africa.
Friendly alternatives:
Cape Rattle-pod
Crotalaria capensis
River Euphorbia
Euphorbia triangularis
Krantz Aloe
Aloe arborescens
Dune Aloe
Aloe thraskii
Uitenhage Aloe
Aloe africana
Plant type:
Succulent
Plant family:
Cactaceae (Greek plant name) - Order: Caryophyllales