Cylindropuntia californica

Cylindropuntia californica
File:Cylindropuntia californica 1.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Cylindropuntia
Species:	C. californica
Binomial name
Cylindropuntia californica (Torr. & A.Gray) F.M.Knuth
Synonyms
Opuntia parryi

Cylindropuntia californica is a species of cactus known by the common names California cholla, snake cholla, and cane cholla.

Distribution

Cylindropuntia californica is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and other local habitat.

Description

Cylindropuntia californica is a sprawling cactus which can approach 3 meters in maximum height or width. The green or purple-tinged segments are narrow and cylindrical, surfaced in fleshy tubercles bearing many gray or reddish spines up to 3 centimeters long. The flowers are yellow, sometimes tinged with green or purple. The fruit is dry, leathery, greenish or yellow, and up to 2 or 3 centimeters in length.

Varieties

• Cylindropuntia californica var. californica — Santa Ana Mountains, Southern Coast, northern Baja California.
• Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri — 700–1,900 metres (2,300–6,200 ft); Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Colorado Desert-chaparral ecotone; northern Baja California.

External links

• Calflora Database: Cylindropuntia californica (cane cholla)
• Jepson Manual Treatment: Cylindropuntia californica
• USDA Plants Profile: Cylindropuntia californica (cane cholla)
• Flora of North America: Cylindropuntia californica
• Cylindropuntia californica — UC Photo gallery