Silver Cholla
ExplorePlants
Silver Cholla
cylindropuntia echinocarpa
The Silver Cholla (Cylindropuntia echinocarpa) is a striking, highly branched cactus that reigns supreme in the arid lands of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Characterized by its dense armor of shimmering, golden-silver spines, this resilient desert survivor is a master of adaptation. It grows as an upright, highly branched shrub or small tree, casting a dramatic, glowing silhouette against the desert landscape when illuminated by the low sun. Beyond its prickly exterior, the Silver Cholla plays a critical role in its native ecosystem, providing impregnable nesting sites for desert birds and essential building materials for rodents seeking refuge from predators.
Habitat: Typically found on sandy, gravelly slopes, desert flats, and dry washes of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.
Appearance
This multi-branched cactus typically grows between 50 to 200 centimeters tall, exhibiting a shrubby or tree-like form with a short, woody trunk. Its cylindrical stem joints are light green, measuring 5 to 15 centimeters long, and are densely covered in formidable, sharp spines that range from silver-white to pale gold. Each spine is encased in a papery, reflective sheath. In late spring, it produces attractive, bell-shaped flowers that are greenish-yellow, occasionally tinged with bronze, which mature into dry, spiny, egg-shaped seed fruits.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCactaceaeGenusCylindropuntia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Native American groups like the Cahuilla traditionally harvested the flower buds, roasting them for hours to remove the spines and make a calcium-rich food.
The spines of the Silver Cholla have microscopic, backward-pointing barbs that pull deeper into flesh when touched, making extraction painful.
When backlit by the sun, the dense, golden-white papery sheaths surrounding the spines glow intensely, creating a beautiful 'halo' effect.
Special abilities
Ability
Detachable Stem Joints
Stem segments detach easily upon contact, hitching rides on passing animals to root and propagate vegetatively elsewhere.
Ability
Reflective Spine Armor
Dense, papery-sheathed spines reflect intense desert sunlight, significantly reducing the surface temperature of the plant.
Ability
Water-Saving CAM Photosynthesis
Opens its stomata only at night to absorb carbon dioxide, dramatically reducing moisture loss during the scorching day.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 50-200 cm
- Weight
- 5-50 kg
- Lifespan
- 30-150 years
Diet & Feeding
Synthesizes its own energy from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide using specialized desert-adapted photosynthesis.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil nutrients
Ecological connections
eaten by
Desert Woodrat
Neotoma lepida
Uses the fallen, highly spiny joints of the Silver Cholla to build defensive walls around its nest entrances.
host plant
Cactus Wren
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Builds its protected, dome-shaped nests deep within the thorny branches to keep chicks safe from predators.
eaten by
Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii
Occasionally consumes the fallen flowers, fruits, and moisture-rich inner tissue of the cactus joints.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Silver Cholla?
The easiest way to identify Silver Cholla is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Silver Cholla?
50-200 cm
How much does Silver Cholla weigh?
5-50 kg
How long does Silver Cholla live?
30-150 years
What does Silver Cholla eat?
Synthesizes its own energy from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide using specialized desert-adapted photosynthesis.
Where is Silver Cholla usually found?
Typically found on sandy, gravelly slopes, desert flats, and dry washes of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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