how many types of cholla cactus are there

What kind of cactus is a cholla?

Cholla, (genus Cylindropuntia), genus of about 35 species of cylindroid-jointed cacti (family Cactaceae) native to North and South America and the West Indies.

What are the different types of Chollas?

Five variations include acanthocarpa, coloradensis, ganderi, major and thornberi. Grows from desert floors to grasslands to lower mountain slopes, developing a thick trunk and with purple jointed joints. The largest of the chollas, up to 15 feet tall, is a very spiny cactus, usually a shrub, but sometimes more like a tree.

How big do pencil cholla cactus get?

The pencil cholla has scary-looking long, sharp spines that grow from wooly areoles on the pencil-shaped stems. These stems can be around 6 inches long and can form dense branches. In its native habitat, this cactus can grow up to 9 feet tall.

What is another name for a jumping cholla?

Jumping cholla, also known as teddy bear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii). © Index Open At least two species—cane cholla (Cylindropuntia imbricata) and Whipple’s cholla (C. whipplei)—are hardy to −18 °C (0 °F) or below. The desert Christmas cactus, or tasajillo (C. leptocaulis), holds its bright red fruits through the winter.

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How many varieties of cholla are there?

Members of the genus Cylindropuntia, the 20 species of cholla cacti are commonly found in all the deserts of North America. They tend to be shrubby cacti, but some species grow as ground creepers or even as small trees.

Is teddy bear cholla the same as jumping cholla?

Teddy bear cholla, or jumping cholla (C. bigelovii), is native to northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States and is sometimes cultivated as a desert ornamental for its showy golden spines. Chollas were formerly placed in the prickly pear genus (Opuntia).

Why is it called teddy bear cholla?

Like other kinds of cholla cactus, the cylindrical stem segments are densely covered with slender, barbed spines. In fact, this species is sometimes called "teddy-bear cholla" because of its dense covering of spines.

Why is cholla important?

🌵Cholla is an important part of the desert ecology, providing nesting birds protection from snakes, coyotes and other predators. 🌵Since this species usually makes no viable seed, it relies on detached segments to form new plants by rooting and growing.

Does cholla cactus really jump?

The barbed cactus spines don't actually jump, of course. But they detach easily from the main plant and hook tenaciously — sometimes painfully — into people who get too close.

Are jumping cholla poisonous?

The cholla cactus is a spiny plant found in the southwestern United States. It is often called the “jumping cactus.” Cholla cactus are not dangerous plants but can cause irritation and discomfort.

Does the teddy bear cholla jump?

The teddy bear cactus, more commonly known as the jumping cholla, received that nickname because if you get too close...a segment will break off and fly at your body. Yes, a flying cactus. Watch the video above to see the jumping cholla in action! Don't become a victim!

What is a cuddly cactus?

New from the Oriental Group is the Cuddly Cactus. This is a South American tree-like succulent evergreen cactus. This brand new cactus is a fantastically cuddly cactus species that has no spines! This plant is absolutely perfect for the home where pets or children can come into contact with the plants!

What does a teddy bear cholla look like?

A spectacular cactus of the Southwestern United States, Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Teddybear Cholla) is a slow-growing, small, erect tree-like cactus with a distinct trunk topped with stubby branches densely covered with silvery-white spines, 1 in. long (2.5 cm).

Why do cholla cactus turn black?

Cholla cacti are attacked by the beetle when the adults lay their eggs, hatch and the larvae burrow into the stems. Waste (frass) is pushed out the entry holes and forms a black crusty deposit on the canes.

How old are cholla cactus?

30 years or more.

What animal eats cholla cactus?

Takeaways. Camels can eat all cactus parts, including the spines, because they have prehensile lips, papillae, and a robust multi-chamber stomach to digest and metabolize the food. Among other animals that can eat cactus are javelinas, hares, rabbits, and desert tortoises.

What are the joints of a cholla?

Each year's growth forms a new joint of the stem. Joints have raised areas called tubercles, each with an areole, which is an area where new branching can occur, that bears a spine cluster. Spines are reduced leaves, and cholla spines have a separate external papery sheath, frequently a different color from the spine. Spines have tiny recurved hooks that grab hold of anything they penetrate. The tubercles can be large and bumpy or small and closely spaced. The stems are supported by an internal cylindrical woody skeleton penetrated with holes. The wide-spread occurrence of hybrid chollas often makes identification of individual plants difficult. The genus Opuntia is a large one, and botanists disagree on how to arrange its members. The most current revisions call chollas Cylindropuntia, but Opuntia is still widely used.

What is a chain fruit cholla?

Chain-fruit cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida) has a central stout trunk when mature, with branches that bear long chains of persistent green fruits. The new season's flowers form on older fruits. Fruits rarely have seeds, with new plants growing from detached joints or fruits. Native to the Sonoran Desert, chain-fruit cholla grows 8 to 10 feet high in USDA zones 8 through 11, and has relatively small magenta flowers. Densely covered with golden to silvery spines that from a distance resemble plush on a stuffed animal, teddy bear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) almost glows in the landscape. The spines are hold-fast organs that attach to the fur and flesh of passing animals, which transport the easily-detached joints to new localities. Both chain-fruit and teddy bear cholla are sometimes called jumping cholla because stems suddenly appear on clothing of people who pass too close. Greenish-yellow 1 1/2-inch-wide flowers appear in spring on 3- to 8-feet-tall plants hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11.

What is the color of staghorn cholla?

Staghorn cholla (Cylindropuntia versicolor) has a branching habit supposedly resembling deer horns. Stems take on a purplish tint in winter, adding garden interest. Spring flowers have variable colors, from greenish or yellow to red, purple and bronze. Choose plants when they are flowering to get the color you want. Plants get 6 to 12 feet tall in USDA zones 7 through 9. Whipple cholla (Cylindropuntia whipplei) comes from high-altitude deserts and grow in USDA zones 5 through 9. A densely white-spined form is most commonly cultivated, the color contrasting well with bright yellow-green flowers and yellow persistent fruits.

Why are chain fruit and teddy bear cholla called jumping cholla?

Both chain-fruit and teddy bear cholla are sometimes called jumping cholla because stems suddenly appear on clothing of people who pass too close.

How tall do diamond chollas grow?

It is a shy bloomer, occasionally showing peach to orange flowers. Usually under 3 feet tall in cultivation, plants are native to the Mojave and Sonoran Desert and grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 7. Pencil cholla (Cylindropuntia arbuscula) has shorter spines and can reach 7 feet tall. Flowers are brownish-yellow followed by a green-purple fruit. Native to the Sonoran Desert, it is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11.

What is a chollacactus?

Chollacactus represent more than 20 species of the Opuntiagenus (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, ...

What genus is a cholla?

Description, photo, range, habitat and scientific names of the various species of Chollas, all cactus of the genus Opuntia.

What shrub has an orange tip?

Usually a low shrub growing in the driest deserts, prominent yellow or tan spine sheaths have an orange tip. Only cholla with a grooved surface.

When do cholla cactus bloom?

Most cholla cactus have orange or greenish-yellow flowers with a variety of colors, even among the same species. Most species bloom April through June, depending on local conditions. Stems and joints vary in width, length, shape, and color, as well as in the profusion of spines and glochids.

How tall are chollas?

Chollas may appear as ground creepers, shrubs or trees, varying in height from less than a foot (Club or Devil Cholla) to as much as 15 feet (Chain-Fruit Cholla). Information on the species below is based on wild, non-cultivated samples. BUCKHORN CHOLLA / MAJORCHOLLA/ YELLOW-FLOWERED CANE CACTUS.

How tall is Opuntia fulgida?

Opuntia fulgida. The largest of the chollas, up to 15 feet tall, is a very spiny cactus, usually a shrub, but sometimes more like a tree. New fruits are added to those from previous seasons, creating a chain up to 2 feet long -- hence the name "chain fruit.".

What is the name of the prickly pears?

Prickly pearsare also members of the Opuntiagenus, but their branches are manifested as padsrather than cylindrical joints. Opuntiaare unique because of their clusters of fine, tiny, barbed spines called glochids. Found just above the cluster of regular spines, glochids are yellow or red in color and detach easily from the pads or stems. Glochids are often difficult to see and more difficult to remove, once lodged in the skin.

What is a cholla cactus?

Like other cactus, on the stems, it has small and wart like projections from which spines can grow. The Cholla is the only cactus which covers its spines by papery sheaths. These sheaths are habitually colorful and bright. And also provide the cactus with its unique appearance. This plant has orange or greenish yellow flowers. And these are pollinated by bees. The Fruits of this plant are fleshy and they can be seen in an extended period of the year. Depending on the local conditions, most of its species bloom in April through June. This plant appears as ground creeper, tree or shrub.

What type of soil does a cholla cactus prefer?

The Cholla cactus prefers well drained and coarse soil in rocky and dry slopes.

Where do jumping chollas grow?

It is the largest species of this plant. It is also known as Jumping Cholla. It grows up to 15 feet tall, sometimes like a tree, but usually a shrub. Its fruits are 1 ½ inch in size and green in color. The fruits are spineless and pear shaped berries which grow in clusters and hang in long and branched chains. So it is called Chain Fruit. Its flowers are pink and white petals streaked with lavender. From the previous season, its new fruits are added and form a chain up to 2 feet long. It is native to the Sonoran desert of Northwest Mexico and South and Central Arizona. It is also found in the Colorado and Mojave deserts in Mexico. This plant can also tolerate extreme heat.

Where can I find a cane cholla?

It is common in Juniper and Pinyon stands and Desert Flats. It is found in the Chihuahua desert of Texas and New Mexico and in North in semi desert areas of Western Oklahoma and Eastern Colorado. It grows up to a height of 7 feet. Its flowers are deep lavender to red in color and its fruits are oval shaped with yellow color and 2 inch long.

Can a cholla cactus breed?

These species are difficult to notify separately, because leading to intermediate forms, they can hybridize. In addition to this, their seeds are sterile, so some species hardly breed at all. There are few distinct species of Cholla cactus including Teddy Bear Cholla, tree Cholla, Chain Fruit Cholla, diamond Cho lla, chain link Cholla, Devil Cholla and Buck Thorn Cholla. All species of this plant are different in their temperature tolerance, soil preference, water requirements and in geographical ranges.

What is a cholla?

Cholla, (genus Cylindropuntia ), genus of about 35 species of cylindroid-jointed cacti (family Ca ctaceae) native to North and South America ...

How big is a cholla tree?

Grant Heilman/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Chollas vary in size, from low branching cacti to small trees about 3 metres (10 feet) in height. They have small flowers, sometimes chartreuse and inconspicuous but more commonly of more-striking colours.

What is the name of the teddy bear cholla?

Jumping cholla, also known as teddy bear cholla ( Cylindropuntia bigelovii ).

Where are chollas native to?

Cholla, (genus Cylindropuntia ), genus of about 35 species of cylindroid-jointed cacti (family Cactaceae) native to North and South America and the West Indies. The living plants serve as food for desert livestock, and cholla wood, a hollow cylinder with regularly spaced holes, is used for fuel and novelties. Some cholla fruit is edible.

Where do Christmas cactus grow?

Teddy bear cholla, or jumping cholla ( C. bigelovii ), is native to northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States and is sometimes cultivated as a desert ornamental for its showy golden spines.