Cylindropuntia cholla aka Baja California Cholla

Cylindropuntia cholla is a cactus known as chain-link cholla. It belongs to the cactus family, Cactaceae. Its native range lies in Mexico's Baja California peninsula. It also grows on many islands in the Gulf of California. Its habitats include coastal sage scrub and desert scrub. It is widespread there and can grow like a weed.

This succulent shrub can form a small, tree-like plant. Reported heights range from 1.6–9.8 feet [0.5–3 metres]. Some plants sprawl low, while others develop clear, upright trunks. The crown can be broad and dense. Its jointed branches often grow in near-horizontal rings. Older trunks lose their spines and form smooth, yellow-brown bark. Young trunks bear many spines, with more forming as they age.

The pale blue-green stems divide into round, easily detached cladodes. These joints can have a waxy bloom and broad, oval bumps. Cream areoles turn grey with age. Small, fleshy, cone-shaped leaves grow on new joints, then fall. Spine cover varies from sparse to dense, and some joints lack spines. The orange-brown spines have yellow tips and loose, grey, papery sheaths. Small yellow glochids also grow on the stems. These detach with ease and carry tiny backward-pointing barbs.

Flowers range from light pink to deep purple. They have few tepals and span about 0.1 feet [0.03 metres]. Touch makes the stamens fold inward around a visiting bee. The round, fleshy fruits lack spines and often stay green. They can remain on the plant for several years. New fruits grow from older ones, making chains or branched clusters. Most chains hold two to five fruits; some reach twelve. Fallen fruits can root and start new colonies. Broken stem joints also account for small plants around larger ones.

Grow this cactus in soil that drains very well. Its native soils include sand and gravel. Let the soil dry between each watering. Cold, damp conditions raise the risk of root rot. It tolerates great summer heat but has limited frost resistance. LLIFLE lists USDA zones 8–10 and brief tolerance near 28°F [-2°C]. It recommends keeping cultivated plants above freezing to prevent skin marks. Stem pieces offer a means of propagation. Repot cramped roots in spring, then withhold water for at least a week.