Thanks Tristan! It's a most unusual cactus -- that's for sure. It always amazes me how it seems plants evolve to outsmart things that eat them. From the site linked below: "The long papery spines resemble to old blades of grass and help the plant in nature to camouflage in the desert grassland making them remarkably hard to spot." I've since seen one other plant. It had a place of honor at one of the garden tours last summer. I just hope I can keep my 'star burst cactus' going. I'll never remember the name so will just call it that. However, I will make a note of its real name. Here is a link that might be useful: Interesting info on Leuchtenbergia principis.

Hi, There are not that many nurseries in Perth. I get my cact/succulents mainly from the following sources: a)Canningvale flea market - sunday mornings/look out for stall selling c&s somewhere in the middle. b) Fraser's nursery off nicholson road has good selection but on the expensive side c) Waldecks/Bunnings do have some d) why dont you become a member of the Cactus Society of WA? We meet 2nd sundays of each month - give me an email and I will supply you more details. Some members bring in plants to sell - that is my best source so far. Rgds

Bach's Cactus Nursery is perhaps the place you're looking for.

third picture down has a type of prickly pear Opuntia and a thimble cactus but the third one I can't even guess.