Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata

(Tree Cholla, Cane Cholla)

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Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Hwy 9 north of Royal Gorge, Fremont Co. 0585/0586

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Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Baca Co. 9573

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Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Hwy 9 north of Royal Gorge, Fremont Co. 0597

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Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Baca Co. 9577

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Joint, Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Hwy 9 north of Royal Gorge, Fremont Co. 0589

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Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Hwy 9 north of Royal Gorge, Fremont Co. 0602

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Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Baca Co. 07282

Scientific Name Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata (Opuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Opuntia imbricata var. arborescens) USDA PLANTS Symbol CYIMI
Common Name Tree Cholla, Cane Cholla ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 913475
Family Cactaceae (Cactus) SEINet
Reference
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Description Habitat: Plains to foothills (4400 to 6500 ft.); gravelly or sandy igneous and sedimentary soils in dry, open areas.
Plant: Tree- or shrub-like, up to 6 to 8 feet tall (shorter in higher elevations); many-branched contorted stems 1-inch or more in diameter.
Pads & Spines: No pads; gray-green, cylindric joints 5 to 16 inches long, 5/8 to 1-5/8 inches in diameter with prominent, overlapping tubercules 1 to 2 inches long; spines (tan to dirty white or yellowish) usually at most areoles with 8 to 15 spines per areole, 1/3 to 1-1/8 inches long.
Inflorescence: Flowers with reddish-purple tepals 2 to 3 inches across; greenish to greenish-red filaments about 3/8-inch long; yellow to cream-colored anthers; style about an inch or more long with cream-colored to green, 5 to 8-lobed stigma.
Bloom Period: May to July.
Fruit: Yellow, spineless, egg-shaped/cylindrical, 1 to 1-3/4 inches long with prominent tubercules; long-lasting.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell and Flora of North America
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

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