Scientific name:
Cylindropuntia fulgida
Common name:
Jumping cholla, hanging chain cholla, chainfruit cholla
Range:
Central area of south Arizona
Form:
Large, often tall clusters branching from a central trunk
Habitat:
Scrubland, grassy hillsides, desert flats; up to 3,500 feet elevation
Flowers:
Pink to violet, with a frilly center, opening late afternoon during summer
Distribution map for cylindropuntia fulgida
As one of its common names suggests, cylindropuntia fulgida is easily recognized by the branched chains of conical, green, spineless fruit which hang down from the end of each stem, remaining there for several years. The plant is densely covered by white or pale yellow spines, variable in length, and has many short joints, up to around 6 inches long.
Mature plants develop a tall stem, on which the spines become brown, black, or fall away, and the cactus may reach heights of 12 feet or more. Like some other cholla species, the spiny, grey-green stem segments are very easily detached, adhering to anything that moves past.
Each areole has between 0 and 18 spines. The downwards-pointing spines are slightly thicker and longer (up to 1.4 inches) than those pointing upwards.
The pinkish flowers are less prominent than those of other cholla since they open late in the day and close early in the morning. They have fewer tepals than other species, and are more widely spreading. Filaments are pink, anthers and stigma lobes creamy-white.
The uncommon mamillata variety, known as the boxing glove cactus, is less branched, has almost no spines, much thicker stems and more prominent tubercles; it occurs over a similar area of central Arizona. All other plants are var fulgida. Jumping cholla forms a hybrid with cylindropuntia spinosior (cane cholla), to create cylindropuntia x kelvinensis.
Mature plants develop a tall stem, on which the spines become brown, black, or fall away, and the cactus may reach heights of 12 feet or more. Like some other cholla species, the spiny, grey-green stem segments are very easily detached, adhering to anything that moves past.
Each areole has between 0 and 18 spines. The downwards-pointing spines are slightly thicker and longer (up to 1.4 inches) than those pointing upwards.
The pinkish flowers are less prominent than those of other cholla since they open late in the day and close early in the morning. They have fewer tepals than other species, and are more widely spreading. Filaments are pink, anthers and stigma lobes creamy-white.
The uncommon mamillata variety, known as the boxing glove cactus, is less branched, has almost no spines, much thicker stems and more prominent tubercles; it occurs over a similar area of central Arizona. All other plants are var fulgida. Jumping cholla forms a hybrid with cylindropuntia spinosior (cane cholla), to create cylindropuntia x kelvinensis.
All Contents © Copyright The American Southwest | Comments and Questions | Contribute | Affiliate Marketing Disclosure | Site Map