Cylindropuntia ramosissima
branched pencil cholla
Overview
Cylindropuntia ramosissima is a shrubby cholla cactus in the cactus family, forming a densely branched, woody-based shrub 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 m) tall and wide. The thin, pencil-like green to grey-green stem segments are about 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) thick and patterned with low, diamond-shaped tubercles, the source of the diamond cholla name. Each tubercle bears a single, very long spine 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long in a papery sheath, so the plant is sparsely but fiercely armed. Small flowers 0.5-0.8 inch (1.3-2 cm) across open along the stems in late spring and summer, dull yellow to bronze or salmon and often tinged orange or brown. Dry, spiny, tan fruits follow and persist on the plant. The species grows on open desert flats, washes, and rocky slopes across the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It withstands extreme heat, intense sun, and prolonged drought, but rots in wet or poorly drained soil. The long, barbed spines detach readily and cling to skin and clothing, so the plant is difficult to handle and is grown mainly in desert and collection settings.
Native Range
Native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, including southeastern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and Baja California.Suggested Uses
Used in desert and xeriscape gardens, cactus collections, and as a barrier planting where its spiny stems deter passage, spaced 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) apart. It also stabilizes open desert ground and gives cover and nesting sites for desert wildlife.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'
Width/Spread2' - 6'
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
dull yellow to bronze or salmonFoliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing 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 on sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky desert soils and tolerates poor, alkaline ground. Established plants need no irrigation in arid climates and rot in wet or heavy soil. Soil pH from 6.5 to 8.5 is suitable, and fast drainage matters more than fertility. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-11 and tolerates intense desert heat while being damaged by hard frost in wet conditions. Propagation is from detached stem segments, which root where they fall, or from seed. In cultivation it needs a dry winter and wide spacing because of its hooked, clinging spines.Pruning
No routine pruning is needed. Stray or damaged stem segments can be removed with tongs when the plant is dry, since the barbed spines detach and cling readily.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons