Family: Cactaceae
Compound: Cyl arb
Synonyms: Cylindropuntia vivipara, Opuntia arbuscula
Geographic Origin: AZ, NW Mexico
Characteristics: A shrubby or treelike cholla typically between 1-2.5m (3-8.2ft) tall, and
sometimes wider than tall, with many slender, cylindrical, segmented and jointed stems. Stems
intertwine with each other and with other plants in the surrounding area, resulting in an
impenetrable mass of spiny stems. Stems are light green in color, but may stress orange or red.
With age, they develop a rough tan to brown bark. Each stem has linear tubercles with areoles
covered in short yellow-white and yellow-rusty brown glochids. Clusters of 0-5 long, tan to
yellow spines emerge from the areoles. Flowers are yellow, greenish yellow, or bronze. Fruits
are similar in appearance to the stems, though they lack spines, are shorter, only slightly longer
than they are wide. They are often a slightly different color from the stems, being yellowish or
orangish green. The end is capped with a circular indentation with a woody skin where the
flower detached from the fruit.
Natural History: Grows between 305-1067m (1,000-3,500ft) on bajadas, in creosote flats, or
along small drainages in fine soils high in sand or silt. It blooms in spring-early summer.
Cultivation Notes: Though typically not used in landscaping, this plant should not be overlooked
for native wildlife gardens because of the shelter and food it provides to small animals. It also
may work well as a barrier to keep unwanted people and animals out of an area due to its
dense growth, and spines. It appreciates partial sun and can tolerate cold temperatures, and
little water. Both cuttings and seeds are good ways to propagate this species, though cuttings
may be easier. Cutting the larger spines off with garden shears, and handling with large
tweezers is advised when preparing for propagation through cuttings. Once the cut ends have
dried, and the larger thorns have been cut off, place the cuttings in a wide pot, halfway full of
soil. They can be placed upright, or on their side on the surface of the soil. Water once or twice
a week and check for roots periodically. Once roots appear, pot the stems with the roots buried
2-6cm (1-2.5in) below the surface of a well draining substrate.
Another way to root opuntiod cuttings that requires even less effort is to remove the spines
and place the cuttings on their side underneath a tree or bush that gets semi regular watering.
The cuttings will root eventually, and once they do, they can be potted as described above.
For general cactus and succulent propagation information, click here
Ethnobotany: Fruits or young stems boiled and eaten, flower buds roasted and eaten, or dried
and stored, flowers roasted and eaten.
Citations:
SEINet Arizona - New Mexico Chapter
https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=Cylindropuntia+a…