Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
staghorn cholla
Family Name:
Cactaceae
Botanical Name:
Cylindropuntia versicolor
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The staghorn cholla is a short tree or shrub growing up to 2 meters (6.56 feet) tall. The plant is evergreen and succulent plant. The branches are open at acute angles like that of an elk, or deer’s antlers, thus earning its name Staghorn. The twisting canopy of stems grows up to 5 meters (16.4 feet) wide. The main body of the plant is covered in blotches of purple and green throughout. The main stem often takes on shades of grey to brown with age. When one approaches the staghorn cholla, whorled spines decorate the ribbed, and tubercle-covered stems, which are approximately 17.78 cm (7 in) long (3). Each areole supports a cluster of 6-8 spines of varying sizes up to 1.778 cm (.7 in), with more sprouting with age. The Staghorn Cholla gets its species name (versicolor) from its vibrant colored flowers, which can be yellow, gold, bronze, orange, red, rose, or magenta. (1) The oblong fruit has a toothy epidermis and prominent crown. Starting off as a light to dark green color before shifting to crayon like yellow with tinges of reds or purples when reaching maturity. Growing to a size of about 25 – 40mm (1-1.5 in) long and 10 - 20mm (.4-.8in) in diameter (4). With 20 areolas covered in glochids like that of other fruits in the cactus family (1).
Compound:
Geographic Origin:
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Discovered by Juanita Ahil from the Tohono O'odham Nation in Sells, Arizona. When she had an Ecologist, Tony Burgess over. Upon inspection of the initial two plants they found, Juanita Ahil revealed that she knew of five other different prickly pear cacti. Eventually, their efforts would create the Genus Opuntia.(6) The plant can be found across the Southwest N. America - Arizona, northwest Mexico (Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua). (4) Typically located in the following conditions: the Sonoran Desert, desert scrub, flats, washes, rocky hillsides, canyons; at elevations from 300-1,300 meters (900-4300 ft). (4)
Cultivation Notes:
: Staghorn Cholla needs at least 6 hours of daily light to grow and temperatures of 21 degrees C (70 degrees F) to flower (7). Staghorn cholla can survive short bursts of 5 degrees and prolonged exposure of 50 degrees. The plant can propagate from a 6-inch cutting planted vertically. Staghorn cholla grows happily in well-drained soil with a pH of 7-8. (7) Water the cactus sparingly, as cholla are incredibly susceptible to root rot. Staghorn Cholla also does well with a mix of dry and liquid cactus fertilizers of a ratio of 5:10:5(NPK).(9) Please consult nutrient charts before applying fertilizer. Beware, cochineal scale insects are a common pathogen for the species.
Ethnobotany:
: Staghorn cholla has been used by the Tohono O'odham Nation and other tribes for many centuries. The remains of the dead Staghorn Cholla are used for fencing, jewelry, art, and furniture. The flower would be the first thing the Tohono would harvest after harsh winters (6) Drying them into flower, pickling them, or eating them fresh with the experience being like asparagus or broccoli. The fruit is sweet and incredibly fibrous. When harvesting the fruit and blossoms it is advisable to wear thick gloves. Leather or work gloves are the most commonly used. Before deciding to harvest the fruit, consider surveying the Cholla population nearby and assess whether the individual plant has enough fruit to reproduce and maintain the population. To harvest the fruit, twist the fruit or blossom off with your gloves. Some foragers also use a paper bag allowing harvesting and storage in one step (5). Use a blowtorch or knife to remove the areolas from harvested fruit. (9) These areolas need to be thoroughly cleaned as this is where glochids and spines are attached. Screens can also be used to tumble the fruit and remove the barbed spines (6). The buds and fruit can be eaten fresh, preserved, or simmered for 60-90 minutes until soft (6,9).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
2. Tropicos | Name - Cylindropuntia versicolor 5. AZ Daily Star It's harvest time for cholla buds, a subtle, versatile native food 8. Cholla Buds - How to Harvest, Prepare and Eat Cholla Buds
