Snake cholla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snake cholla |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cylindropuntia
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| Species: |
californica
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| Synonyms | |
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Opuntia parryi |
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The California cholla (scientific name: Cylindropuntia californica) is a type of cactus. People also call it the snake cholla or cane cholla.
Contents
Where It Lives
The California cholla grows naturally in southern California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico. You can find it in places like coastal sage scrub (a type of shrubland near the coast) and chaparral (another type of shrubland). It likes these sunny, dry areas.
What It Looks Like
The California cholla is a cactus that spreads out. It can grow up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) tall or wide. Its stems are narrow and shaped like cylinders. They can be green or have a bit of purple color.
The stems have small, bumpy parts called tubercles. From these bumps grow many gray or reddish spines. These spines can be up to 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) long.
This cactus has yellow flowers. Sometimes, these flowers might have a hint of green or purple. After the flowers, the cactus grows fruit. The fruit is dry and feels like leather. It can be green or yellow and is about 2 to 3 centimeters long.
Different Kinds of California Cholla
There are two main types, or varieties, of California cholla:
- Cylindropuntia californica var. californica — This type is found in the Santa Ana Mountains, along the Southern Coast, and in northern Baja California.
- Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri — This type grows at higher elevations, usually between 700 and 1900 meters (about 2,300 to 6,200 feet). You can find it in the Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and in areas where the Colorado Desert meets chaparral plants. It also grows in northern Baja California.
Images for kids
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The stems on this species can be decumbent (lying on the ground) or somewhat erect (standing up), but it never usually becomes too tall.
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The stems and flowers of Cylindropuntia californica var. californica. Photographed in habitat at an urban canyon of San Diego, CA.
See also
In Spanish: Cylindropuntia californica para niños
