Desert Christmas cactus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Desert Christmas cactus |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cylindropuntia
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| Species: |
leptocaulis
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| Synonyms | |
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, the desert Christmas cactus, desert Christmas cholla, pencil cactus, or tasajillo, is a species of cholla cactus.
Contents
Distribution
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis is widely distributed in deserts, grasslands, chaparral, and woodlands in the Southwestern United States and several states in Northern Mexico.
Description
The shrubby Cylindropuntia leptocaulis plants reach .5 to 1.8 m (1.6 to 5.9 ft) tall, reaching the extreme height when supported within desert trees. Branches are narrow, 3–5 mm across. Spines 0-1 (occasionally as many as 3) at each areole. Flowers open in the late afternoon and are pale yellow or greenish yellow, with occasional red tips.
Around December, the plant grows red berries that when consumed, can have an intoxicating effect. The fruits are crushed and mixed with a beverage by the Apache, Chiricahua, and Mescalero.
Gallery
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Desert Christmas Cactus in Sahuarita, Arizona.
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Desert Christmas Cactus fruit.
See also
In Spanish: Tasajillo para niños
