Tree chola
Cylindropuntia imbricata

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus which branches. It grows 3 m high. The joints are 7-20 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The joints are like cylinders rather than flattened. It has lumps and large yellow spine spots. There are 10-30 spines together which are 1-2.5 cm long. The flowers can be purple, red or yellow. They are 4-8 cm across.

There are about 250 Opuntia species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to tropical plant. It needs full sunlight. It needs a temperature above 10°C. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 7-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Mexico, Slovenia, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The gum is used as a chewing gum. The unopened flower buds are boiled or steamed and added to stews, salads or potato salads. They are less stciky when dried. The fruit is eaten raw or cooked. They are boiled and eaten with sweetened cornmeal. They are sour.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, seeds, stem, flower buds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Abrojo, Candelabrum cactus, Cane Cactus, Cane cholla, Cardenche, Cardon, Chain-link cactus, Coyonostyle, Coyonoxtle, Joconostli, Tesajo macho, Tesajo, Tree cactus, Vela de coyote, Walking stick cactus, Xoconostle

Synonyms

Cactus imbricatus Haworth; Cereus imbricatus; Opuntia decipiens DC.; Opuntia arborescens Engelmann; Opuntia imbricata (Haworth) A.P. de Candolle; Opuntia lloydii Rose; Opuntia imbricata var. argentea M. Anthony; Cylindropuntia imbricata var. argentea (M. Anthony) Backeberg;