Accession Count: 2
Common Name:
desert club cholla, devil cholla
Family Name:
Cactaceae
Botanical Name:
Grusonia kunzei
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Desert club cholla is a low-growing plant that forms a mat or thicket of jointed stems up to 20 in tall (1,2,3,4). It forms succulent stem segments that are curved and narrow at the base. Stems grow 6 long and 2 inches in diameter. It does not have the upright growth form or characteristic single “trunk” like other chollas of the genus Cylindropuntia. Tubercles are prominent on the desert club cholla, but somewhat obscured by areoles containing interlaced spines which cover the stem surface. The areoles are about 1/5 of an inch in diameter (2). White to pale tan spines in groups of 17-27 emerge from each aereole. Each areole also contains a few yellow glochids which are approximately 1/5 of an inch long and usually located on the adaxial side of the areole. The flowers of this species are 1 inch long and wide, have yellow inner tepals , white filaments, a light green style, and white stigma lobes (2,3). Following the flower, in early spring to foresummer, 2 inch long fleshy fruits form that are fleshy, yellow, and covered with 45-70 areoles, each with up to 17 spines (2). .
Compound:
Cor kun
Geographic Origin:
Desert Southwest
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This species is found in Arizona, California, and Mexico. The desert club cholla is usually found growing in silty-sandy gravelly flats. It grows in the Sonoran desert at elevations from 500 to 2,000 ft (1,2). The name grusonia comes from a german botanist, engineer and inventor, Hermann Gruson, who had a particular interest in the Cactaceae family. The name kunzei came from German physician and botanist Gustav Kunze (2).
Cultivation Notes:
The desert club cholla is rarely grown in cultivation. However, it is well suited to xeric- rock- or cactus- garden, or in rain gardens on the terrace level or bank as it can tolerate more water than many cacti (1, 2, 4). This low-growing perennial can make a perfect ground cover in a small area, as it only grows to about 20 inches tall. The yellow blooms are perfect for lighting up
Ethnobotany:
The desert club cholla has ornamental value for the transition or xeric zones of a xeriscape landscape design. It is well suited to xeric- rock- or cactus- garden, or in rain gardens on the terrace levels or banks as it can tolerate more water than many cacti (1,2,4). This low-growing perennial can make a perfect ground cover in a small area, as it only grows to about 20 inches tall. The yellow blooms are perfect for lighting up the spring landscape (1,3).
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
