''Cylindropuntia'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of cacti ( family Cactaceae), containing species commonly known as chollas ( ), native to northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States. They are known for their barbed spines that tenaciously attach to skin, fur, and clothing. Stands of cholla are called cholla gardens. Individuals within these colonies often exhibit the same DNA, as they were formerly tubercles of an original plant.

Taxonomy

''Cylindropuntia'' was formerly treated as a subgenus of '' Opuntia'', but have now been separated based on their cylindrical stems (''Opuntia'' species have flattened stems) and the presence of papery epidermal sheaths on the spines (''Opuntia'' has no sheaths). A few species of mat- or clump-forming opuntioid cacti are currently placed in the genus '' Grusonia''. Collectively, opuntias, chollas, and related plants are sometimes called opuntiads. The roughly 35 species of ''Cylindropuntia'' are native to the southwestern and south-central United States, Mexico, and the West Indies. ''The Flora of North America'' recognizes 22 species.Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. ''Flora of North America North of Mexico''. 16+ vols. New York and Oxford. Some species have been introduced to South America (Chile, Ecuador, Peru) and South Africa.

Species

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accepts the following species:

Hybrids

Cholla wood in pet trade

Dried, dead ''Cylindropuntia'' sections are called "cholla wood" and are popular in the pet trade. In aquariums they are immersed partly or entirely into the water for pets to swim through, and in terrariums and other terrestrial pet enclosures they are placed and propped up for climbing.

Notes

References

External links

* USDA Plants Profile for ''Cylindropuntia'' (cholla) * {{Taxonbar, from=Q137197 Cacti of Mexico Cacti of the United States North American desert flora Opuntioideae genera Taxa named by George Engelmann Plants used in Native American cuisine