Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
| Light | Full sun; tolerates blazing exposure once established |
|---|---|
| Water | Very sparingly; drought-tolerant, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Lean, gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Cold-hardy; tolerates hard frost, roughly USDA zones 7–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (very easy); seed |
| Toxicity | Not toxic if eaten, but the barbed spines and glochids are a hazard to pets and people |
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis is a slender, intricately branched cholla of the southern United States and northern Mexico, easily recognised by its thin, pencil-thick stems and the crop of glossy red berries it carries through winter. Those bright fruits, ripening around the holiday season, have earned it the common name desert Christmas cactus, while its wiry green branches give it the alternative names pencil cholla and tasajillo. It belongs to the genus Cylindropuntia.
Description
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis is a shrubby, much-branched cactus that can grow as a low, tangled bush or scramble up into surrounding vegetation, sometimes reaching well over a metre tall. Its most distinctive feature is the extreme thinness of its stem segments: the cylindrical joints are typically only about the diameter of a pencil, dull to bright green, and often barely tuberculate.
The spines are variable — some plants are almost spineless, while others carry solitary, formidably long spines from scattered areoles, each sheathed in a papery covering that is characteristic of the chollas. As with all opuntioid cacti, the areoles also bear glochids, tiny barbed bristles that detach at the lightest touch and are a genuine nuisance to remove from skin.
Small yellowish to greenish-bronze flowers open in the afternoon in late spring and summer. These are followed by the plant's signature feature: smooth, fleshy berries that ripen to a brilliant translucent red and persist on the plant well into winter, lighting up the bare desert scrub.
Distribution and habitat
The species is widespread across the arid and semi-arid country of the south-central and southwestern United States — including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona — and reaches south into a broad swathe of northern and central Mexico. It grows in desert grassland, thornscrub and disturbed ground, often threading up through mesquite and other shrubs, which it uses for support and partial shade.
It is a tough, adaptable plant of poor, well-drained soils and is among the more cold-tolerant chollas, enduring hard frosts that would kill many desert cacti.
Cultivation
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis is an undemanding plant for a hot, sunny, well-drained spot, and its winter berries make it an attractive choice for a xeriscape or a cold-hardy cactus bed. Grow it in full sun and a lean, gritty, mostly mineral mix; it resents rich or water-retentive soil. Water sparingly during the growing season, letting the soil dry out completely between waterings, and keep it dry through the cold months. Its frost hardiness allows it to be grown outdoors year-round in many temperate-to-warm climates. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
A word of caution: like all chollas, this plant defends itself fiercely. Handle it with thick gloves and tongs, site it away from paths and pets, and be aware that detached joints root readily where they fall. In some regions it can become weedy, so check its status locally before planting.
Propagation
Propagation is very easy from stem cuttings — a hallmark of the chollas. Detach a segment, let the cut end callus for several days, then set it on a gritty, barely-moist mix and it will root with little fuss. See Propagation — cuttings for the full method. The plant can also be raised from seed sown on a warm mineral surface, though this is slower and less commonly done; see Propagation — seed.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual cause of failure, from a wet, poorly drained soil or overwatering, especially in winter.
- Glochids and spines — not a plant problem but a grower one; the barbed glochids are painful and hard to remove, so always handle with care.
- Unwanted spread — dropped joints root easily and the plant can naturalise, so tidy up fallen segments if you do not want more.
- Pests — mealybugs and scale can lodge in the areoles; watch for cochineal-type infestations as well.
See also
- Cylindropuntia — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Pests and diseases