Cactus of Many Shapes
The jointed stems and branches of cholla cactus adapt well to hot, dry climates and furnish shelter for many desert animals. Their shallow branching roots gather moisture after even a slight rain, storing it in their tissues for later use.Cactus wrens and LaConte's thrashers build nests in the cholla's spiny arms and pack rats carry off dead stems for their homes.
Look for these cholla near the trail:
Pencil cholla (long-sheathed spines with pencil-like branches) (Opuntia ramosisima).
Silver cholla (fuzzy appearance with many spines) (Opuntia echinocarpa).
Other cacti you might see near here:
Beavertail (flattened pads covered with minute barbed hairs) (Opuntia basilaris).
Hedgehog Cactus (low rounded heads with multi-colored spines) (Echinocereus Engelmannii).
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Pencil cholla cactus
Also see:
Desert Cactus Guide
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Disclaimer: Some parts of this project were created with help from AI tools to fill in gaps or model historical patterns. Everything has been reviewed and fact-checked by real people to make sure it’s as accurate and useful as possible, though not every detail can be guaranteed. The goal is to offer solid starting points and unique niches for your own studies, exploration, and deeper research. These items are historical in scope and are intended for educational purposes only; they are not meant as an aid for travel planning. Copyright ©Walter Feller. 1995-2025 - All rights reserved. |