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Native Plant Database

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Cylindropuntia tunicata (Lehm.) F.M. Knuth

Thistle cholla

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonyms: Opuntia tunicata

USDA Symbol: CYTU3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Size Notes: A bushy, erect plant to 1½ft high. Stema and joints are 2½-4 3/4in long and ca. 1½in thick.
Flower: Flowers 2 inches in diameter when fully open.
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Diurnal

Distribution

USA: NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: Mexico, possibly also South America.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Conditions Comments: Minimum temperature 50F.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Bibliography

Bibref 1140 - Cacti (1991) Clive Innes and Charles Glass

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cylindropuntia tunicata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cylindropuntia tunicata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cylindropuntia tunicata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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