Pencil Cholla
Cylindropuntia arbuscula
Opuntia arbuscula
Photographed at Organ Pipe National Monument, Pima Co., Arizona. May 2006.
SUCCULENT: Woody succulent normally about a meter tall with intricate
branching pattern. Exceptional specimens can reach over
two meters in height supported on a single tree-like stem.
ARMED. The
areoles are set with spines (few, about a cm long) and minute
glochids.
LEAVES: Leaves are absent except on new spring growth where fleshy
leaves appear but are soon shed. The JOINTS are about the diameter and length
of a common pencil and have narrow, elongate tubercles.
RANGE: More common towards the southern half of Arizona's Sonoran Desert
and hence into Sonora, Mexico. High on wash banks and on rocky bajadas.
FLOWERS: About 30mm in diameter.
The numerous petals are yellow, dark red or maroon in color. Stamens are
numerous and supported by dark bronze or green filaments.
FRUIT: Oblong fruit turn yellowish at maturity.