California Cholla

Description

Cylindropuntia californica is a species of cactus known by the common names California cholla, snake cholla, and cane cholla. Cylindropuntia californica is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and other local habitat. Cylindropuntia californica is a sprawling cactus which can approach 3 meters in maximum height or width. The green or purple-tinged segments are narrow and cylindrical, surfaced in fleshy tubercles bearing many gray or reddish spines up to 3 centimeters long. The flowers are yellow, sometimes tinged with green or purple. The fruit is dry, leathery, greenish or yellow, and up to 2 or 3 centimeters in length.