Cylindropuntia prolifera

Cylindropuntia prolifera
File:Cylindropuntia prolifera 1.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Cylindropuntia
Species:	C. prolifera
Binomial name
Cylindropuntia prolifera (Engelm.) F.M.Knuth
Synonyms
Opuntia prolifera

Cylindropuntia prolifera, known by the common name Coastal cholla, is a species of cactus.

Description

Cylindropuntia prolifera is a mostly erect, treelike cactus which can approach 3 meters in maximum height. The gray-green segments are narrow and cylindrical, surfaced in fleshy tubercles bearing many brown or reddish spines up to 2 centimeters long. The flowers are reddish purple and often borne on the fruits of previous seasons. Fruits grow in chains of up to 5 and are green in color.

Distribution

Cylindropuntia prolifera is native to Southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and beach and bluff habitat. It occurs from Santa Barbara County south.

See also

• California coastal sage and chaparral - (subecoregion)

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment - Cylindropuntia prolifera
• USDA Plants Profile: Cylindropuntia prolifera
• Flora of North America
• Cylindropuntia prolifera - Photo gallery