Staghorn cholla
Cylindropuntia versicolor

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A tree like cactus. It grows 2 m high. It has a short trunk and longer branches. These are dull green and have lumps on the joints. The joints are 10-25 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. There are a few cylinder shaped leaves which soon fall off. The spine spots are reddish-brown. There are 7-12 brown spines about 1.5 cm long. The flowers are about 5 cm across. They can be red, purple, brown or greenish-yellow. The flowers open in daytime.

There are about 250 Opuntia species.

Where it is found

It needs a sunny position. It needs a temperature above 10°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The buds, fruit and joints are baked in pits and eaten.

Edible parts

Buds, fruit, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Grusonia versicolor (Engelm. ex Tourney) G. D. Rowley; Opuntia arborescens var. versicolor (Engelm. ex J. M. Coult.) Dams; Opuntia thurberi subsp. versicolor (Englem. ex J. M. Coult.) Felger; Opuntia versicolor Engelm. ex Tourney; Opuntia versicolor Engelm. ex J. M. Coult.;