General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Leaves: Other: Green leaves present only on emerging growth. They are replaced by spines (modified leaves) on mature growth.
Fruit: Showy
Flowers: Showy
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Windbreak or Hedge
Provides winter interest
Erosion control
Will Naturalize
Edible Parts: Fruit
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Needs specific temperature
Start indoors
Can handle transplanting
Other info: Fruit can take root and form a new plant without having to use its seeds; needs neutral soil pH
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Layering
Other: Easy to root from stem segments
Containers: Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Tolerates poor soil
With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth

Image
Common names
  • Cholla
  • Wiggins' Cholla
  • Golden Cholla
  • Silver Cholla
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Cylindropuntia echinocarpa
  • Synonym: Opuntia echinocarpa var. echinocarpa
  • Synonym: Opuntia wigginsii
  • Synonym: Cylindropuntia wigginsii
  • Synonym: Opuntia echinocarpa

Photo Gallery
Location: Texas Panhandle
Date: 2017-12-27
Location: Santa Clara Bench, Ivins, Utah, United States
Date: 2016-11-26
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Date: 2015-03-21
Location: Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix Arizona
Date: 2016-01-04
Location: Texas Panhandle
Date: 2017-12-27
Location: Washington, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-07-21
Location: Washington, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-07-21
Location: Mojave National Preserve, California
Date: 2015-03-21
Some look silvery, some look golden.  This is a golden one.
Location: Los Angeles Arboretum, Arcadia, California
Date: 2015-03-19
Location: Washington, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-07-21
Location: Washington, Utah, United States
Location: Washington, Utah, United States
Date: 2018-07-21
Location: Pleasant Grove, Utah
Date: 2011-10-26
Silver Cholla
Location: Pleasant Grove, Utah
Date: 2011-10-26
Silver Cholla
Location: Pleasant Grove, Utah
Date: 2011-10-26
Silver Cholla
Location: Washington, Utah, United States

Date: 2012-11-07

Date: 2012-11-07

Date: 2012-11-07
Location: South Jordan, Utah, United States
Date: 2020-07-22

Date: 2015-02-27
Location: in the desert at the west end of Cheyenne Ave, Las Vegas, Nevada (Lone Mountain area)
photo by Stan Shebs

Credit NPS

Credit NPS

Credit NPS
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