tree cholla
ExplorePlants
tree cholla
Cylindropuntia imbricata
The tree cholla is a unique cactus that looks like a tree with many branches. It has spiky pads that can be green or gray, and it blooms beautiful flowers in the spring.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The tree cholla is a shrubby cactus with striking jointed, cylindrical stems covered in dense, silvery-white spines. Its vibrant magenta or purple flowers stand out against the green-grey stems, giving it a distinctive, thorny, tree-like appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCactaceaeGenusCylindropuntia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Animals like javelinas love to munch on its juicy pads and fruit.
Its fruit looks like tiny green or yellow pineapples!
Its spines have tiny barbs that make them really hard to pull out!
The woody skeleton of old chollas is used to make beautiful crafts.
Special abilities
Ability
Spiny Shield
Tree cholla has very sharp, barbed spines that protect it from hungry animals and help it grab onto anything for support.
Ability
Self-Cloner
Tree cholla can drop stem segments that easily root and grow into new plants, helping it spread quickly.
Ability
Water Saver
Tree cholla has a waxy coating on its stems and thick, succulent tissues that store water to survive dry conditions.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 60-300 cm
- Spread
- 60-200 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
Javelina
Pecari tajacu
Javelinas enjoy eating its juicy fruit and pads.
shelters
Curve-billed Thrasher
Toxostoma curvirostre
This bird builds its nests safely within its spiny branches.
depends on
Honeybee
Apis mellifera
Honeybees depend on its bright flowers for delicious nectar.
eaten by
White-throated Woodrat
Neotoma albigula
Woodrats gather its fruit and stems for their food.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Succulent
Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
Cactus TreeCholla Cactus
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Stay a safe distance from the spines to avoid getting hurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is tree cholla?
60-300 cm
How wide does tree cholla spread?
60-200 cm
How big are the flowers on tree cholla?
3-5 cm
When does tree cholla bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is tree cholla edible?
Yes
Is tree cholla toxic?
Mild
What is tree cholla's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is tree cholla pollinated?
Insect
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