Cylindropuntia ramosissima – “Diamond Cholla”

Also Known As: Pencil Cactus, Pencil Joint Cactus, Branched Pencil Cholla, Darning Needle Cactus
Family: Cactus (Cactaceae)
Bloom Period: Apr-Aug
Form: Single-stemmed, with many narrowly-segmented, erect or decumbent branches; up to 6 feet (2 m) tall
Habitat: Sandy soils on flats or gentle slopes below an elevation of 3000 feet (900 m)
Leaves: generally 1 spine, up to 2.3 inches (6 cm) long, pink-gray to dark brown
Translation: “Cylindro” is Greek for “round,” and “opuntia” is an old Latin name used by Pliny, the Roman writer, which refers to the city of Opus where a cactus-like plant grew; “ramosissima” is Latin for “very much branched,” which describes this plant well.
Notes: “Diamond” refers to the diamond shapes in the flesh, out of which the spines grow. Skin color varies from green to purple. Flowers vary in color from green or yellow to brown or red.
Native American Uses: The Cahuilla ate the fruit fresh and the stalks in soup and also dried both for later use.
Animal Associations: Cactus Wrens make nests among the prickly branches, protected by the spines from their predators. Important source of water for the Desert Woodrat, which eats the flesh without getting injured by the spines and also incorporates the easily detached joints into the fortifications around the entrance of its den.