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Cholla

Cylindropuntia imbricata

Other common name(s):

Tree Cholla, Walking Stick Cholla

Family:

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, High Plains, Southwestern Tablelands
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Cactus & Succulent

Height

5
to
8
ft.

Spread

5
to
8
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Pink, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Pollen, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance.

Comments

Blooms March-August. Found in a wide range of environments, from the hot deserts of west Texas to the Colorado mountains above 6,000 feet. It has thick branches, bearing short white or light brown spines, with most stems high above the ground, supported by a strong central trunk. The violet flowers are followed by orange fruits that stay attached to the plant for many months.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Opuntia imbricata

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CYIM2. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=6605&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Cylindropuntia+imbricata&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=511921#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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