Cylindropuntia spinosior
| Light | Full sun; the more light, the denser the spines and better the form |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; drench then let dry out fully, keep dry through winter |
| Soil | Gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Notably cold-hardy for a cactus; tolerates hard frost, roughly USDA zones 6–11 (some sources report it hardier still) |
| Propagation | Cuttings of detached joints (easiest); also seed |
| Toxicity | Not considered poisonous, but the barbed spines and glochids are a serious mechanical hazard |
Cylindropuntia spinosior is a shrubby to small-tree cane cholla of desert grasslands and scrub of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, grown for its densely spined cylindrical joints and its unusually variable flower colour. Commonly called the cane cholla or walkingstick cholla, it forms a woody, branching skeleton that — once the plant dies and the flesh rots away — leaves the hollow, lattice-patterned "cholla wood" prized for canes and craftwork. It belongs to the genus Cylindropuntia, the true chollas.
Description
Cylindropuntia spinosior grows as an upright, freely branching shrub, often around 1–1.5 m tall and sometimes forming a small tree to 2 m or more with a distinct woody trunk. The stems are built from cylindrical segments (joints) covered in low, spiralling tubercles, each bearing an areole of spines. The spines are numerous, spreading and often silvery to pinkish-grey, and — as in all chollas — are wrapped in a papery detachable sheath that catches the light. Fine, barbed glochids sit at the base of each cluster and detach at the slightest touch.
The flowers appear in late spring to early summer at the joint tips and are notably variable in colour from plant to plant: shades of magenta, rose-pink, red, bronze, yellow and occasionally near-white all occur. The fruits are fleshy, yellow, strongly tuberculate and usually spineless, and many persist on the plant well into winter or even a second season.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to semidesert grasslands and desert scrub of the southwestern United States — chiefly Arizona and New Mexico — and northern Mexico, notably Sonora and Chihuahua, at elevations from roughly 300 to 2,000 m. It favours open, sunny slopes, flats and grassland-desert transitions on well-drained ground, where it often grows among other chollas, Opuntia pricklypears and desert shrubs.
Cultivation
C. spinosior is an easy, tough plant given the two things it needs: sun and sharp drainage. Grow it in full sun in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix. Water generously during the warm growing season once the soil has dried, then taper off; keep it dry through winter, when its strong natural cold-hardiness lets it shrug off hard frost. In containers it appreciates room to build its woody framework, so pot on as it grows. See Watering for general technique.
A serious word of caution on handling: the barbed spines and glochids embed readily in skin and clothing and are difficult and painful to remove. Handle joints with thick leather gloves, tongs or folded newspaper, and site the plant away from paths, pets and children.
Propagation
Like most chollas, it is easiest from cuttings. Detached joints root very readily — a segment left to callus for a few days on dry, gritty soil will usually strike with minimal fuss, and joints that fall naturally often root where they land. Seed is also viable but slower and less commonly used by hobbyists. See Propagation — cuttings and Propagation — seed.
Common problems
- Rot — the main risk indoors or in wet winters; caused by overwatering or a slow-draining mix, showing as blackening and softening at the joints or base.
- Etiolation — too little light gives thin, weak, sparsely spined joints and a floppy habit.
- Pests — mealybugs and scale can lodge among the areoles and spines, where they are awkward to reach; watch for cochineal-type white masses on the stems.
- Handling injuries — not a plant problem but the grower's: dislodged joints and glochids are the most common cause of grief with this species.
See also
- Cylindropuntia — the genus overview
- Opuntia — the related pricklypears
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases