Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cylindropuntia
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| Species: |
acanthocarpa
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| Synonyms | |
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Opuntia acanthocarpa |
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The buckhorn cholla (scientific name: Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa) is a type of cholla cactus. It grows naturally in the deserts of North America. You can find it in the Mojave, Sonoran, and Colorado Deserts.
This cactus is one of the most common cholla types in these desert areas. It often grows alongside another well-known cactus, the "teddy bear" cholla.
Different Kinds of Buckhorn Cholla
Just like there are different breeds of dogs, there are also different kinds, or varieties, of buckhorn cholla. These varieties have slight differences in how they look or where they grow. Scientists have given each of these special names.
Some of the recognized varieties include:
- Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. acanthocarpa
- Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. coloradensis (also called Colorado buckhorn cholla)
- Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. thornberi (also called Thornber's buckhorn cholla)
How People Use Buckhorn Cholla
For a very long time, people have used the buckhorn cholla for food. The Tohono O’odham people, who live in the Sonoran Desert, have a special connection to this plant.
In early spring, they called the time ko’oak macat, which means "the painful moon." This was because food was hard to find. During this time, they would gather flower buds from the cholla cactus.
These buds are full of calcium, which is good for bones. The O’odham people would traditionally roast these buds in pits in the ground. Today, many O’odham people still enjoy these cholla buds. They can be pit-roasted or boiled, and many say they taste a bit like asparagus tips.
See also
In Spanish: Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa para niños
