Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata
(Tree Cholla, Cane Cholla)
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 7946/7957
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Baca Co. 9573
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Hwy 9 north of Royal Gorge, Fremont Co. 0585/0586
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Hwy 9 north of Royal Gorge, Fremont Co. 0597
Joint, Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Hwy 9 north of Royal Gorge, Fremont Co. 0589
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Hwy 9 north of Royal Gorge, Fremont Co. 0602
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Baca Co. 07282
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 08116
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, David Canyon Road, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 8048
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata, David Canyon Road, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 8063
| 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, rarely greenish-white, 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 2026
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
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