Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
| Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Genus: | Cylindropuntia |
| Species: | C. leptocaulis |
| Binomial name | |
| Cylindropuntia leptocaulis F.M.Knuth | |
| Synonyms | |
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, the desert Christmas cactus, desert Christmas cholla, or tasajillo, is a cactus.
Distribution
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis is widely distributed in deserts, grasslands, chaparral, and woodlands in the Southwestern United States and several states in Northern Mexico.
Description
The shrubby Cylindropuntia leptocaulis plants reach .5 to 1.8 m (1.6 to 5.9 ft) tall, reaching the extreme height when supported within desert trees. Branches are narrow, 3-5 mm across. Spines 0-1 (occasionally as many as 3) at each areole. Flowers open in the late afternoon and are pale yellow or greenish yellow, with occasional red tips.[1]
Around December, the plant grows red berries that when consumed, can have an intoxicating effect.
Gallery
Desert Christmas Cactus in Sahuarita, Arizona.
Desert Christmas Cactus fruit.
Notes
- ↑ Anderson, Edward F. (2001). The cactus family. Portland, Or: Timber Press. p. 210. ISBN 0-88192-498-9.
References
USDA Profile: Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cylindropuntia leptocaulis. |