SafePlants

Staghorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia versicolor)

The Staghorn Cholla, scientifically known as Cylindropuntia versicolor, is a striking cactus species native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is known for its variable flower colors and its branching, tree-like growth habit.

Common Names

• Staghorn Cholla

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cylindropuntia versicolor (Engelm. ex J.M. Coult.) F.M. Knuth
• Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
• Genus: Cylindropuntia
• Synonyms: Opuntia versicolor

Distribution and Habitat

• The Staghorn Cholla is commonly found in the Sonoran Desert, particularly in Arizona, from Phoenix southwards.
• It thrives in arid environments in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Morphology and Growth Habits

• The Staghorn Cholla exhibits a tree-like growth habit, with cylindrical stem segments joined end-to-end in a branching manner.
• It can grow to a height of 3 to 8 feet.
• The main trunk is short and erect.
• Stems can turn purple with extreme heat or cold.
• Flowers are large, approximately 2 1/4 inches wide, and come in a variety of colors with yellow-green anther filaments.

Considerations for Pets

• The Staghorn Cholla is a spiny cactus.

Considerations for Children

• The Staghorn Cholla is a spiny cactus.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The Staghorn Cholla hybridizes easily with other chollas, making species differentiation difficult.

Quirky Facts

• Fallen fruit has the capacity for self-ordering and reconstruction.
• Staghorn Cholla stems can turn purple in extreme heat or cold.