Cholla
Austrocylindropuntia subulata

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

An erect cactus. It is treelike. It grows 2-4 m high. The stems are 6-10 cm thick and branching. The stems and joints have lumps over them. The leaves on the upper stem are like half cylinders. These are 10 cm long. There are 1 or 2 pale yellow spines up to 8 cm long in a spine spot. The flowers are reddish. They are 2 cm wide. The fruit are oval and 10 cm long.

There are about 250 Opuntia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs bright light. It needs a temperature above 10°C. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia (country/location of origin), East Africa, Kenya, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pereskia subulata Muehlenpfordt; Opuntia subulata (Muehlf.) Engelm; Cylindropuntia subulata (Muehlf.) Backeberg; Maihueniopsis subulata (Muehlf.) R Keisling; Opuntia exaltata A. Berger; Cylindropuntia exaltata (A. Berger) Backeberg; Austrocylindropuntia exaltata (A. Berger) Backeberg; Maihueniopsis exaltata (A. Berger) R. Kiesling;