Cylindropuntia echinocarpa
silver cholla
Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico
Overview
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa is a shrubby, branching cactus reaching 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m) tall, occasionally to 6 feet (1.8 m), with a short trunk and dense, spreading branches. The cylindrical stem segments are 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long and about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick, covered in raised tubercles and dense straw-colored to silvery spines 0.5-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) long, each in a papery sheath. The sheathed spines give the plant a silvery cast and largely hide the green stem surface. Yellow-green to greenish-yellow flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across open at the branch tips from April through May. Dry, spiny tan fruits 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) long follow and persist on the plant. Growth is slow, adding a few segments per year. Detached segments root where they fall, forming new plants. The barbed spines detach easily and lodge in skin, fur, and clothing.
Native Range
Native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, across the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah into Baja California and Sonora. Grows on dry, rocky slopes, desert flats, and washes in well-drained gravelly soils, from about 300 to 6,000 feet (90-1,800 m).Suggested Uses
Planted in desert, rock, and xeriscape gardens and in wildlife habitat plantings, spaced 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) apart. Desert birds nest and shelter among the dense spiny branches. The detaching barbed spines make it suited to areas away from paths, play areas, and pets.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 4'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Bloom Information
Flowers open from April through May, with timing depending on winter rainfall. Each flower lasts a few days, opening in daylight at the stem tips. Bloom is sparse in drought years. Dry fruits develop afterward and remain on the plant for months.
Growing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in sharp-draining, gravelly or sandy soils and withstands intense desert heat. Water needs are very low; established plants rely on infrequent deep soakings and rot in wet or heavy soil. Cold tolerance extends to about 15-20F (-9 to -7C), with damage below that. The plant grows slowly and needs little care once established. Root and stem rot follow overwatering or poor drainage. Detached segments root readily, so dropped pieces can be cleared to control spread.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Overgrown or damaged branches can be removed at a segment joint using tongs, since the barbed spines detach easily. Clearing fallen segments prevents them from rooting into new plants.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons