Opuntia arbuscula (Pencil Cholla)


Botanical Information

FamilyCactaceae
GenusOpuntia
Speciesarbuscula
SynonymsCylindropuntia arbuscula
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
OriginArizona, United States of America and Mexico.

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA compact dwarf tree or shrub, thing smooth branchlets with green or yellow flowers.
CultivationSand and gravely soils.
HabitatDeserts plains, valleys and flats at an altitude of 300-900 m.
Leaf DescriptionElongate and conical leaves, 9 mm in length with reddish or purplish tan spines, straight and slightly turned downward, 2-4 per aerole and 1-4 cm long.
Flower DescriptionGreen or yellow flowers 2.5-4.5 cm in diameter, filaments 6-12 mm long and 2 mm long anthers.
Fruit DescriptionGreen fruit with a purple or red hue, fleshy, smooth, spineless and obovoid, 4 x 2 cm, fruit sustained through the winter.

Photographs