Chain Fruit Cholla
Cylindropuntia fulgida (formerly Opuntia fulgida)
Latin Name
Cylindropuntia fulgida (formerly Opuntia fulgida)
Common Name
Chain Fruit Cholla (Pronounced CHOY-Ya)
Native Distribution
Sonoran Desert
Size: About 8’-10’h & w; young plants are shrubby; mature plants become tree-like with blackened trunk
Flower: Magenta, 1 1/2” across, followed by retained fruit; these in turn produce more flowers and more fruit which hang in chains; despite their color, flowers are nearly inconspicuous
Stems: Branching cactus with cylindrical, pale green jointed stems approximately 5” long and weakly attached
Site Preferences: Full sun in sandy soil with good drainage; no supplemental watering once established
Landscape Uses: Accent; xeriscape; rock garden feature
Plant Characteristics
Medium growth rate
Blooms from June - August
Drought tolerant
Cold hardy to 15F
Propagate from segment removal
Plants should be sited with care
do not plant near walkways
keep away from children & pets
Attractive to cactus wrens for nesting