Austrocylindropuntia subulata

Accepted name and nomenclatural history

The currently accepted name is Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Muehlenpf.) Backeb. The species was first published in 1845 as Pereskia subulata Muehlenpf. and was subsequently combined in several opuntioid genera. Backeberg's combination in Austrocylindropuntia appeared in a publication dated 1942 and is accepted in the current Kew backbone.¹

The epithet “subulata” refers to the awl-shaped, tapering cylindrical leaves. These leaves are not the same organs as the spines produced by the areoles. Their persistent succulent anatomy has been studied directly and differs from the more usual short-lived leaf condition in many Opuntioideae.²

Systematic position

The species is placed in Cactaceae > Opuntioideae > Pterocacteae > Austrocylindropuntia. The current phylogenomic classification uses Pterocacteae as the priority-correct tribal name over Tephrocacteae. Austrocylindropuntia and Cumulopuntia are supported as close lineages, while the order of some earlier branches within the tribe varies among analyses.³

Diagnostic characters

A. subulata forms upright stems that may become woody with age and cylindrical, tuberculate shoot segments. Areoles on the tubercles can bear strong spines and glochids. One of the species' most conspicuous characters is its long-lasting, fleshy, awl-shaped leaves on mature shoots.²⁴

The similar Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica generally has shorter spines and shorter leaves that do not remain on the plant for long.⁴ A single photograph or the leaf length of a young shoot is nevertheless insufficient for a secure identification. Stem segments, areole structure, leaf persistence, and where available reproductive characters should be considered together.

Native and introduced distribution

Kew records the native range as Peru to Bolivia.¹ The species has also been introduced or naturalized in many regions, including parts of Colombia and Ecuador, the Mediterranean, North and southern Africa, and several oceanic islands.¹ These data layers must remain distinct: an established wild population in a country does not make that country part of the species' native range.

Synonymy

The Kew backbone lists 13 synonyms. Homotypic names include Pereskia subulata, Opuntia subulata, Cylindropuntia subulata, and Pereskiopsis subulata. Heterotypic names such as Austrocylindropuntia exaltata and Opuntia exaltata are also treated under A. subulata in the current acceptance.¹ A synonym list records historical nomenclature; it does not make every listed name equally current or preferred. The canonical page follows the accepted combination.

References

1. Plants of the World Online. “Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Muehlenpf.) Backeb.” Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed: 2026-08-03. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:27133-2 ↩
2. Ozerova, L.V. and Timonin, A.C. “Structure of the chlorenchyma in the persistent terete leaves of Austrocylindropuntia subulata.” Wulfenia 27: 221-232. Accessed: 2026-08-03. https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Wulfenia_27_0221-0232.pdf ↩
3. de Vos, J.M. et al. “Phylogenomics and classification of Cactaceae based on hundreds of nuclear genes.” Plant Systematics and Evolution 311, 28. Accessed: 2026-08-03. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-025-01948-z ↩
4. NSW WeedWise. “Eve's needle cactus.” New South Wales Government. Accessed: 2026-08-03. https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weed/EvesNeedleCactus ↩