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| Scientific Name | Cylindropuntia imbricata var. argentea (Opuntia imbricata var. argentea) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CYIMA |
| Common Name | Big Bend Cholla | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 913455 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Gravelly limestone soils of hills, washes and flats 2000 to 2400 feet elevation; endemic to a small portion of Big Bend National Park around the Mariscal Mtn. and into Mexico. Plant: Shrub less than 4 feet tall, densely spined and branched with relatively short, stout joints (compared to C. imbricata var. imbricata). Pads & Spines: Joints 4 to 8 inches long, 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter; tubercules up to 3/4-inch long; areoles more closely spaced than other imbricata; silvery spines with 10 to 20 spines per areole. Inflorescence: Flowers 2 inches across with pinkish to deep magenta tepals, outer ones having an olive hue in the middle portion; deep reddish-purple filaments less than 3/8-inch long; light yellow to cream-colored anthers; style about 3/4-inch long or less with cream-colored, stigma lobes. Bloom Period: Early April. Fruit: Yellow, spineless, inverse conical, 1 to 1-5/8 inches long, 3/4 to 1 inches across with deep tubercules; long-lasting. References: "Little Big Bend" by Roy Morey, "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell and "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. |
BONAP Distribution Map |
Texas Status: Native |
| Scientific Name | Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata (Opuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Opuntia imbricata var. arborescens) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CYIMI |
| Common Name | Tree Cholla, Cane Cholla | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 913475 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Mountains and desert habitat; gravelly or sandy igneous and sedimentary soils in 4000 to 5900 feet elevation. Plant: Tree-like, up to 6 to 10 feet tall, the tallest cactus species in the Trans-Pecos; many-branched contorted stems 1-inch or more in diameter. Pads & Spines: No pads; joints 5 to 15 inches long, about 1 inch in diameter with prominent, overlapping tubercules 1 to 2 inches long; spines (usually red, pink or brown) along joints with 6 to 17 central and 3 to 10 radial spines per areole, 1/2 to 1-1/8 inches long. Inflorescence: Flowers with reddish-purple tepals 2 to 3 inches across; greenish to greenish-red filaments about 3/8-inch long; yellow to cream-colored anthers; style about an inch or more long with cream-colored, 5 to 8-lobed stigma. Bloom Period: May and June. Fruit: Yellow, spineless, egg-shaped/cylindrical, 1 to 1-3/4 inches long with prominent tubercules; long-lasting. References: "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell and "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. |
BONAP Distribution Map |
Texas Status: Native |
