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Prickly Succulent Gallery

Cactus with Pencil-shaped Stems

                 

Cactaceae - Cactus family
Tasajillo (Tasajo, Jumping Cactus, Christmas Cactus, Pencil Cactus) Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (Opuntia leptocaulis)
This plant's Genus name has changed from the one mentioned in most guide books.
Flowers are greenish and 3/4" wide and are rarely seen. Red fruit is about 1/2" long teardrops. Long spines are sheathed in a paper-like coating. Spine tips have hooks to grab you. Plant shown is about 3 feet tall.
Flower photos taken in Coleman County, Texas, May 2004
Flower photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, June 2006
Fruiting photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April-May 2004
(Native of Texas - Taylor, Coleman, Brown, Coke, Nolan)

     

Cactaceae - Cactus family
Tree Cholla Cylindropuntia imbricata (Opuntia imbricata)
This plant's Genus name has changed from the one mentioned in most guide books.
Flower about 2" wide. Long cylindrical stem segments grow from a few inches to many feet long. The stems joint each growing season and have raised areas called tubercles where the spines are located. When the stems die the woody skeleton looks like a stick covered in holes. Segments and spines pull off easily and can start new trees easily. Closely related to Prickly Pears.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, May 2005
(Purchased, native of Texas - Taylor, Coke, Nolan)

Similar Species

Thistle Cholla Cylindropuntia davisii (Opuntia davisii)
This plant's Genus name has changed from the one mentioned in most guide books.
(Native of Texas - Brown, Nolan)

Candle Cholla (Kleine Cholla) Cylindropuntia kleiniae (Opuntia kleiniae)
This plant's Genus name has changed from the one mentioned in most guide books.
Narrow cylindrical joints. Long spines. Peach colored flower
(Native of Texas - Coke, Tom Green)

Thistle Cholla Cylindropuntia tunicata (Opuntia tunicata)
This plant's Genus name has changed from the one mentioned in most guide books.
(Native of Texas - Tom Green)

Other Species in My Area

Cholla Grusonia emoryi (Opuntia emoryi)
This plant's Genus name has changed from the one mentioned in most guide books.
This is a sausage-shaped prickly pear with very long spines.
(Native of Texas - Brown)