Diagnostic features
Short, rapidly disappearing leaves appear on young stem segments. In A. subulata, they persist much longer and become larger. Both plants share branched cylindrical stems and areoles with spines and glochids. Identification requires examining actively growing apices, because older leafless sections obscure one of the main differences. [Sakhraoui et al. 2022]
Stanowiska algierskie
Sakhraoui and coauthors found three small populations in one area of northeastern Algeria. Observations begun in March 2016 showed slow expansion. Plants studied reached about 90 cm in height. During the study, they persisted as feral plants associated with places modified by people. [Sakhraoui et al. 2022]
Reproduction and population dynamics
No flowering or fruiting was recorded in the observed clusters. The authors linked site persistence to vegetative propagation and treated the species as casually established. This assessment applies to a particular region and period. In the same study, nearby A. subulata populations showed markedly greater potential for expansion. [Sakhraoui et al. 2022]
Nazewnictwo
POWO accepts the name Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (Lam.) Backeb. In older publications and collections, it also appears as Opuntia cylindrica. Habitat data from introduction sites require retention of information about population origin, particularly when used to compare the species' ecology. [2-WWW] [Sakhraoui et al. 2022]
Synonyms and names in the literature
Austrocylindropuntia intermedia · Cactus coranarius · Cactus cylindricus · Cereus cylindricus · Cylindropuntia cylindrica · Cylindropuntia intermedia · Echinocactus cylindricus · Opuntia bradleyi · Opuntia cylindrica [2-WWW]