Cylindropuntia leptocaulis

Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Cylindropuntia
Species:	C. leptocaulis
Binomial name
	Cylindropuntia leptocaulis; F.M.Knuth
Synonyms
	Opuntia leptocaulis DC.; Opuntia frutescens Engelm.

Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, the desert Christmas cactus, desert Christmas cholla, pencil cactus, or tasajillo, is a species of cholla cactus.

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Cylindropuntia leptocaulis is widely distributed in deserts, grasslands, chaparral, and woodlands in the Southwestern United States and several states in Northern Mexico.^[1]

Description[edit]

The shrubby Cylindropuntia leptocaulis plants reach .5 to 1.8 m (1.6 to 5.9 ft) tall, reaching the extreme height when supported within desert trees. Branches are narrow, 3–5 mm across. Spines 0-1 (occasionally as many as 3) at each areole. Flowers open in the late afternoon and are pale yellow or greenish yellow, with occasional red tips.^[2]

Around December, the plant grows red berries that when consumed, can have an intoxicating effect.^{[citation needed]} The fruits are crushed and mixed with a beverage by the Apache, Chiricahua, and Mescalero to produce narcotic effects.^[3]

Gallery[edit]

Desert Christmas Cactus in Sahuarita, Arizona.
Desert Christmas Cactus fruit.

References[edit]

^ "Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, Christmas Cactus, Southwest Desert Flora". southwestdesertflora.com. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
^ Anderson, Edward F. (2001). The cactus family. Portland, Or: Timber Press. p. 210. ISBN 0-88192-498-9.
^ Moerman, Daniel (1998). Native American Ethnobotany. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 367. ISBN 978-0-88192-453-4.

External links[edit]

[1] "Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, Christmas Cactus, Southwest Desert Flora". southwestdesertflora.com. Retrieved 2022-05-07.

[2] Anderson, Edward F. (2001). The cactus family. Portland, Or: Timber Press. p. 210. ISBN 0-88192-498-9.

[3] Moerman, Daniel (1998). Native American Ethnobotany. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 367. ISBN 978-0-88192-453-4.

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