Opuntia fulgida

(Cylindropuntia fulgida)

Chainfruit Cholla, Jumping Cholla

Accent

Mature plants can reach ten feet high and eight feet wide. The evergreen plants are shrubby when young, but become more tree-like with age. Stem segments are gray-green and spiny all over.

Temperature

Hardy to 15F.

Water requirements

None in regions receiving five inches of annual rainfall.

Sun

Full sun to open shade.

Soil

Most soils with good drainage.

Maintenance

None.

Disadvantages

Spines. segments break loose and can blow around. Keep away from paths. Use tongs to handle plant. Collects blowing litter that is difficult to remove.

Bloom

One-inch pink flowers bloom from June to August.

Fruit or Seeds

Chainlike clusters of light green fruit develop over the years.

Uses

Background or barrier plant away from foot traffic. Revegetation.

Origin

Native to Sonoran Desert. The cholla species of the Opuntia genus are being reclassified into their own genus: Cylindropuntia. Member of the Cactaceae family.

Themes

Native, Desert Grassland, Desert, Desert Transitional.

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