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(Cylindropuntia fulgida)
Jumping Cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida)
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Katja Schulz
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Katja Schulz
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Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Katja Schulz | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: treegrow | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cylindropuntia fulgida, commonly known as Jumping Cholla, is an evergreen succulent native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts of the Southwestern United States and Mexico. It is an arborescent plant with a low-branching trunk, often reaching heights of 4 m (13 ft). The Jumping Cholla forms extensive stands, creating almost forest-like conditions in its native desert and scrub habitats. Its stems are light green, strongly tuberculate with 6 to 9 mm tubercles. The leaves have evolved into spines, with 6 to 12 spines growing from each areole. Young branches are covered with 2 to 3 cm (1 to 1 in) silvery-yellow spines that darken with age, forming a dense layer that obscures the stems. Older branches reveal a rough and scaly brown-black bark as spines fall off. The plant produces white and pink flowers streaked with lavender, about one inch wide, blooming in mid-summer at the tips of joints or old fruit. The fleshy, green fruits are mostly sterile, pear-shaped to nearly round, and wrinkled with a few spines, about 4 cm (1.5 in) long.
Jumping Cholla is valued for its unique appearance and is used in xeriscaping and desert gardens. It requires minimal maintenance, thriving in full sun with low water needs and well-drained soils. However, it can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local regulations before planting. It is also important to handle with care due to its sharp spines, which can detach easily and attach to skin or clothing.CC BY-SA 4.0
Jumping Cholla is valued for its unique appearance and is used in xeriscaping and desert gardens. It requires minimal maintenance, thriving in full sun with low water needs and well-drained soils. However, it can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local regulations before planting. It is also important to handle with care due to its sharp spines, which can detach easily and attach to skin or clothing.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Succulent
- Height: 6-13 feet
- Width: 4-5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Very Low
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Drought Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts
Other Names
Common Names: Hanging Chain Cholla, Sonoran Jumping Cholla, Boxing-Glove Cactus, Boxing-Glove Cholla, Chain-Fruit Cholla, Club Cactus, Smooth Chain-Fruit Cholla, Brinkadora, Roseakaktus
Scientific Names: , Opuntia fulgida, Cylindropuntia fulgida, Opuntia fulgida var. fulgida, Cylindropuntia fulgida var. fulgida, Cylindropuntia fulgida f. cristata, Cylindropuntia fulgida f. monstruosa, Grusonia fulgida, Opuntia fulgens, Opuntia fulgida f. cristata
GBIF Accepted Name: Cylindropuntia fulgida (Engelm.) F.M.Knuth