Club cholla, Dagger cholla
Grusonia clavata

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus which forms clumps. The stems are 7 cm long and 2-3 cm wide. It is oval in shape. There are barbed bristles and spines. The spines are white. About 10 radiate and are 1.5 cm long and 4-8 in the centre are 3 cm long. The flowers are golden yellow. They are about 4 cm long. The fruit are barrel shaped and yellow. They are fleshy and 3-4.5 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide.

There are about 250 Opuntia species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It needs bright light. It needs a temperature above 7°C. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The stems are fruit are roasted in times of food shortage. They are slimy.

Edible parts

Stems, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ishikana

Synonyms

Corynopuntia clavata (Engelm.) Kunth; Opuntia clavata Engelmann; Cylindropuntia clavata (Egelmann) (Engel.) F.M. Knuth;