Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, the desert Christmas cactus, desert Christmas cholla, pencil cactus, or tasajillo, is a species of cholla cactus.
Description The shrubby Cylindropuntia leptocaulis plants reach 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.
Distribution and habitat Cylindropuntia leptocaulis is widely distributed in deserts, grasslands, chaparral, and woodlands in the Southwestern United States (specifically, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma) and several states in Northern Mexico.
Use The fruits are crushed and mixed with a beverage by the Apache, Chiricahua, and Mescalero to produce narcotic effects.
Gallery
References
External links
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis photo gallery at Opuntia Web Cylindropuntia leptocaulis in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center database