Cylindropuntia tesajo (Engelm.) F.M.Knuth

Cholla, pencil cholla

Pencil cholla, named for its round, narrow stem segments, is native to the Baja California peninsula in Mexico.

Plants: Forming low shrubs that may be upright or semi-prostrate, plants are less than 2½′ (80 cm) high. Stem segments are round, 1–4½″ long ⨉ ⅛–⅜″ (3–12 cm ⨉ 5–12 mm) in diameter, pale green or brownish green. The tubercules—raised bumps on the stem segments—are small and inconspicuous. The glochids, or groups of small, easily detached spines, are yellow to reddish brown, and 1/16–⅛″ (2–4 mm) long. Spines are sometimes present.

Flowers: Yellow or yellowish-green. They appear from March to May.

Fruits: Cylindrical, ½–⅞″ (1.5–2.5 cm) long and ¼–½″ (8–15 mm) around, tan, and dry. They do not have spines.

Habitats: Gravelly flats, sandy areas, alluvial fans in dry scrubland, at elevations below 2600′ (792 m).

Online References:

References:

Cylindropuntia tesajo description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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