Cylindropuntia ramosissima aka Branched Pencil Cholla

Cylindropuntia ramosissima, or diamond cholla, is in the cactus family. People also call it pencil cholla and branched pencil cholla. Its native range runs from southern Nevada into northwestern Mexico. It grows in California and Arizona too. This desert plant lives on rocky slopes and dry flats. It also grows among sparse shrubs in open scrubland. These sites lie in both mountains and valleys.

This small shrub is an evergreen succulent with many thin branches. In gardens, it grows about 3.3 feet [1 metre] tall and wide. It grows at a moderate rate. Its open frame gives it a light, sparse shape. Thin stems have raised, diamond-shaped bumps called tubercles. These marks help explain the name diamond cholla. Its branching shape adds more garden value than its blooms or fruit. Bees and other insects pollinate its flowers.

Give diamond cholla full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in sand or loam, even with few nutrients. It prefers dry sites and neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Shade does not suit it. The plant copes with high heat and drought. Too much water is the main risk when growing it. PFAF lists it for USDA zones 8–11. Once settled in a suitable dry site, it needs little care. Stem sections that break off root with ease in well-drained soil. Growers can raise it from seed, but this takes longer.

Gardeners grow this species for its shape in dry landscapes. Its fine branches add structure but do not form a dense mass. Small desert animals find cover in the plant. Birds use it as a place to nest. Wildlife may eat some of its fruit too. It can help hold soil in harsh, dry places. These roles give it uses beyond its value for show. Its fruit has little flesh and offers a modest food source.

People can eat the stems and fruit, but must prepare them with care. The small, dry fruits give little food for the effort. People can eat them fresh, cook them, or dry them for storage. Unripe fruit has mucilage, a substance that can thicken soups. Fine, hairlike spines called glochids lodge in skin and resist removal. Cooking does not remove this hazard. Remove glochids before eating, and use gloves and tools when handling. Past uses include remedies for diarrhoea and toothache. These records show past use, not proof of medical benefit.