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Cholla cactus represent more than 20 species of the Opuntia genus (Family Cactacea) in the North American deserts. Cholla is a term applied to various shrubby cacti of this genus with cylindrical stems composed of segmented joints. These stems are actually modified branches that serve several functions -- water storage, photosynthesis and ...
- Desert Cacti
The cactus wren and California thrasher often build their...
- Prickly Pear Cactus
Prickly Pear Cactus Information. Prickly pear cactus...
- Desert Cacti
- Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus) As its name suggests, the barrel cactus is shaped like a barrel. It is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
- Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa) Buckhorn cholla is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It gets its name from its fruit, which is shaped like a buck’s horn.
- Jumping Cholla. The jumping cholla is a tree-like cactus native to the deserts of Arizona, California, and Mexico. It gets its name from the fact that its barbed spines can easily detach from the plant and become embedded in the skin of passing animals or humans.
- Cane Cholla. Native to Oklahoma, Arizona, and parts of Texas, the cane cholla is also known as a “walking stick” cactus because of its long, thin stems.
- Spines
- Water Storage
- Photosynthesis
The most conspicuous adaptation of the cactus family is the spines, which are modified leaves. In addition to protecting the plant from hungry or thirsty animals, spines provide shade during hot summer days and warmth on cold winter nights. Spines also help prevent water loss that occurs due to dry winds. On cholla cacti, which are often called jum...
As with most desert plants, cacti have a shallow root system. These shallow roots enable cacti to capture the rainwater from even the lightest showers. If you take a close look at a saguaro or barrel cactus, you will notice a series of distinct accordion-like pleats on the outside of the plant. These pleats allow the plant to expand while it is abs...
As with most plants, cacti make their food through a process called photosynthesis. Unlike most plants that only take in carbon dioxide (CO2) during the day, cacti utilize a complex form of CO2 fixation known as Crassulacean Acid Metabolism, or CAM. This method of taking in CO2 into four-carbon compounds, which are largely malic acid, and stores it...
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Mar 1, 2018 · A chain fruit cholla, also known as a jumping cholla, at Saguaro National Park west of Tucson. Chains can have 10 to 12 fruits. Photos by Doug Kreutz / Arizona Daily Star
Dec 28, 2023 · Chain-Fruit Cholla / Chain Cholla / Jumping Cholla (Opuntia fulgida) The chain-fruit cholla, the largest of the chollas, can reach heights of up to 15 feet. This spiny cactus is usually seen as a shrub but occasionally resembles a tree. The name “chain fruit” comes from the chain of fruits formed by new and previous seasons’ fruits.
Cylindropuntia is a genus of cacti ( family Cactaceae ), containing species commonly known as chollas ( / ˈtʃɔɪəz / ), native to northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States. They are known for their barbed spines that tenaciously attach to skin, fur, and clothing. Stands of cholla are called cholla gardens.
Buckhorn cholla ( Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa ) is an open and branching woody cactus. It has gray-green stems, also called "joints", with nodules. Each nodule has a cluster of stiff spines. The flowers range from yellow to red with many shades in between. They bloom in April and May. The fruits are oval shaped, dry, and covered with long ...
