Cylindropuntia is a genus of cacti (family Cactaceae), containing species commonly known as chollas ( ), native to northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States. They are known for their barbed spines that tenaciously attach to skin, fur, and clothing. Stands of cholla are called cholla gardens. Individuals within these colonies often exhibit the same DNA, as they were formerly tubercles of an original plant.
Taxonomy Cylindropuntia was formerly treated as a subgenus of Opuntia, but have now been separated based on their cylindrical stems (Opuntia species have flattened stems) and the presence of papery epidermal sheaths on the spines (Opuntia has no sheaths). A few species of mat- or clump-forming opuntioid cacti are currently placed in the genus Grusonia. Collectively, opuntias, chollas, and related plants are called opuntiads.
Roughly 35 species of Cylindropuntia are native to the southwestern and south-central United States, Mexico, and the West Indies. The Flora of North America recognizes 22 species.Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 16+ vols. New York and Oxford. Some species have been introduced to South America (Chile, Ecuador, Peru) and South Africa.
Species , Plants of the World Online accepts the following species: Scientific nameCommon namePictureCylindropuntia abyssi (Hester) Backeb.Peach Springs ChollaCylindropuntia acanthocarpa Engelm. & J.M. BigelowBuckhorn ChollaCylindropuntia alcahes (F.A.C. Weber) F.M. KnuthClavellina ChollaCylindropuntia anteojoensis (Pinkava) E.F. AndersonCylindropuntia arbuscula (Engelm.) F.M. KnuthArizona Pencil ChollaCylindropuntia bernardina (Engelm. ex Parish) M.A.Baker, Cloud-H. & RebmanCane ChollaCylindropuntia bigelovii (Engelm.) F.M.KnuthTeddybear ChollaCylindropuntia californica (Torr. & A.Gray) F.M.KnuthCalifornia ChollaCylindropuntia calmalliana (J.M.Coult.) F.M.KnuthCylindropuntia caribaea (Britton & Rose) F.M. KnuthCylindropuntia cedrosensis RebmanCylindropuntia cholla (F.A.C. Weber) F.M. KnuthChainlink ChollaCylindropuntia chuckwallensis M.A.Baker & Cloud-H.Cylindropuntia ciribe (Engelm. ex J.M.Coult.) F.M.KnuthCylindropuntia davisii (Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow) F.M. KnuthCylindropuntia densiaculeata Backeb.Cylindropuntia echinocarpa (Engelm. & Bigelow) F.M.KnuthSilver Cholla Cylindropuntia fosbergii (C.B. Wolf) Rebman, M.A. Baker & PinkavaHoffmann's Teddybear Cholla Cylindropuntia fulgida Engelm.Jumping ChollaCylindropuntia ganderi (C.B. Wolf) Rebman & PinkavGander ChollaCylindropuntia hystrix (Griseb.) ArecesCylindropuntia imbricata Haw. (DC.)Cane ChollaCylindropuntia kleiniae (DC.) F.M. KnuthCylindropuntia leptocaulis F.M.KnuthDesert Christmas ChollaCylindropuntia libertadensis RebmanCylindropuntia lindsayi (Rebman) RebmanCylindropuntia molesta (Brandegee) F.M.KnuthAgujillaCylindropuntia multigeniculata (Clokey) Backeb.Cylindropuntia munzii (C.B. Wolf) Backeb.Cylindropuntia pallida (Rose) F.M.KnuthCylindropuntia perrita (Griffiths) MajureCylindropuntia prolifera (Engelm.) F.M.KnuthCoastal ChollaCylindropuntia ramosissima (Engelm.) F.M.KnuthBranched Pencil ChollaCylindropuntia sanfelipensis (Rebman) RebmanCylindropuntia santamaria (E.M. Baxter) Rebman Cylindropuntia tesajo (Engelm. ex J.M. Coult.) F.M. KnuthCylindropuntia thurberi (Engelm.) F.M. KnuthCylindropuntia tunicata (Lehm.) F.M.KnuthSheathed ChollaCylindropuntia waltoniorum RebmanCylindropuntia whipplei (Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) F.M.KnuthRat-tail ChollaCylindropuntia wolfii (L.D. Benson) J. Rebman – unplaced nameWolf's Cholla
Hybrids Some hybrids are also known: Cylindropuntia × antoniae P.V.Heath Cylindropuntia × campii (M.A.Baker & Pinkava) M.A.Baker & Pinkava Cylindropuntia × cardenche (Griffiths) F.M.Knuth Cylindropuntia × congesta (Griffiths) F.M.Knuth Cylindropuntia × deserta (Griffiths) Pinkava Cylindropuntia × grantiorum P.V.Heath Cylindropuntia × kelvinensis (V.E.Grant & K.A.Grant) P.V.Heath Cylindropuntia × neoarbuscula (Griffiths) F.M.Knuth Cylindropuntia × pallida (Rose) F.M.Knuth Cylindropuntia × tetracantha (Toumey) F.M.Knuth Cylindropuntia × viridiflora (Britton & Rose) F.M.Knuth Cylindropuntia × vivipara (Rose) F.M.Knuth
Cholla wood in pet trade Dried, dead Cylindropuntia sections are called "cholla wood" and are popular in the pet trade. In aquariums they are immersed partly or entirely into the water for pets to swim through, and in terrariums and other terrestrial pet enclosures they are placed and propped up for climbing.
References
External links
USDA Plants Profile for Cylindropuntia (cholla)