Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
diamond cholla
Family Name:
Cactaceae
Botanical Name:
Cylindropuntia ramosissima
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The diamond cholla is a decumbent shrub-like cactus growing up to 6 feet tall (2,4). Stem segments are cylindrical, firmly attached, and green-gray in color. The stems are a quarter of an inch in diameter, embossed with a diamond patterned texture due to diamond-shaped areoles with yellow to red-brown glochids (barbed bristles on the areoles of some cacti (1,2,4). The spines are mostly on distal areoles, about one to five per areole, but sometimes absent. The spines of the diamond cholla are tan to red-brown to deep purple. There are up to two main apical spines, which can grow to a maximum of two and a half inches. The diamond cholla is either shrubby or tree-like and intricately branched. The flowers which arise in the spring/summertime are small and copper-colored (1,2,4). They are very tiny and inconspicuous (3,4). The fruit produced after pollinating flowers is small, dry, and spiny, only growing about 0.8 inches long (2,4).
Compound:
Cyl ram
Geographic Origin:
Desert Southwest
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The diamond cholla is native to Arizona and listed as "salvage restricted" under Arizona Native Plant Law (1). The diamond cholla also grows in the Mojave desert, California, northwestern Mexico, and Baja Mexico (2). The name diamond cholla comes from the distinctive stem feature resulting from diamond shaped tubercles surrounding the stem (3,5). Usually, these plants are found in creosote bush scrubs and Joshua tree woodlands. They grow at elevations of about 150 to 3500 feet (6).
Cultivation Notes:
The diamond cholla is a low-maintenance plant in Sonoran Desert landscapes, as no supplemental watering is required. Locations with full sun are ideal for the growth of the diamond cholla. It is hardy down to 0°F (1,2,3). The diamond cholla does best in soil that is rocky (5). The diamond cholla prefers a soil PH of about 6 or 7. They can be propagated very readily by seed or cuttings. This cholla fruit is made from stem materials and is readily available to propagate after falling from the original plant (6). Insect pollinates this species given the flowers are inconspicuous (6).
Ethnobotany:
The diamond cholla has no known medical uses. However, the plant itself has been used in many aspects of life. Mainly it has been used for food. The stem and the fruit can be eaten. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried. However, when eating and handling, be careful they have glochids which can become lodged into the skin. The seeds are also used. They are cooked into a powder and used as a thickener. Another use of the stem is that gum can be obtained from the stem. This gum is then used as a masticatory or combined with oil in a candle. Also, when boiling the stem, the juice produced is very sticky. This juice is used as plaster to help better adhere it to a wall (6). This cholla is also great in xeriscape and native desert landscaping. Also, the diamond cholla can be potted and can create a lovely accent (7).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
ForeSummer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Pink
Function:
Habitat
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
