Synonyms:

Cactus tunicatus
Cactus tunicatus
Cylindropuntia tunicata var. aricensis
Cylindropuntia tunicata var. chilensis
Grusonia tunicata
Opuntia exuviata
Opuntia exuviata var. angustior
Opuntia exuviata var. spinosior
Opuntia exuviata var. viridior
Opuntia furiosa
Opuntia puelchana
Opuntia stapeliae
Opuntia tunicata
Opuntia tunicata var. chilensis
Opuntia tunicata var. laevior

Habitat:

Cylindropuntia tunicata is believed to have originated from the Chihuahuan Desert, possibly in Texas, and can be found in various parts of northern Mexico such as Coahuila, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. It has also been introduced to Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador, but it is not a native species in those areas. The species has also been reported in Cuba and Peru. Due to its invasive nature, it has spread extensively beyond its natural range to many other countries.

This cactus species grows at elevations ranging from 100 to 2,300 meters above sea level. It thrives in xerophyllous shrublands on sandy to gravelly substrates, often on calcareous slopes or alluvium. While common and widespread, C. tunicata can also be a noxious weed. It can attach itself to the fur of livestock, making it difficult to define its original range.

In its native habitat, C. tunicata often takes on abnormal shapes, with joints that break off easily, resulting in many small dwarf plants growing around the larger ones. Small plants of this species that arise from fallen fruits or seeds consist of series of subspheric segments resembling club-chollas (Opuntia clavata). These young plants are rarely seen in some areas, as few of them mature into larger plants. 

Description:

Cylindropuntia tunicata is a highly variable plant that can take on different forms depending on its growth. Sometimes it is a low, spreading shrub that forms broad clumps, while other times it can grow up to 50-60 cm tall with a woody stem and many branches. The stem of the plant is usually cylindrical, fleshy, and can become woody over time. It is covered in many sharp spines that make it difficult to see the actual stem.

The stem segments are pale green to green in color, detachable, and can take on either a round or oblong shape with prominent bumps. They can be whorled or subwhorled, and can be 5-25 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter. The areoles are small triangular areas with yellow to grey wool that ages to a grey color. The plant also has small yellow tufts called glochids and long thin spines that almost completely cover it. The spines are needle-like, spreading, and larger ones can measure 3-6 cm long and 2-4 mm in diameter.

The flowers of the plant are yellow or yellowish-green in color, and they bloom in late spring. The inner tepals are yellow to yellow-green and spatulate, with obtuse apiculate that measure 15-20 mm. The filaments and anthers are yellow, while the style can be green or reddish. The stigma lobes are yellow-green to green. The ovary can bear long spines at the areoles, but is usually naked.

The fruit of the plant is top-shaped to club-shaped, measuring 25-50 mm long and 8-15 mm in diameter. It is usually yellow to yellow-green in color, often with a reddish tinge. The fruit is mostly sterile, not proliferating, pulpy, and usually spineless or weakly spined. The tubercles on the fruit are evident and subequal, and the umbilicus is 5-7 mm deep. The areoles on the fruit number 32-40.

The seeds of the plant are obovate and measure approximately 2.5 × 2 mm. They have a smooth girdle and are light tan in color.

Cultivation:

Cylindropuntia tunicata is a cool cactus that can be easily found in many gardens. It grows in the summer and is not hard to take care of. This cactus has cool, spiky cylindrical segments that can really make a garden look unique.
When you’re planting this cactus, make sure to use soil that is well-draining, since it doesn’t like to be too wet. You should only water it in the summer and make sure the soil dries out between waterings. If you need to move it to a new pot, do it in the spring and wait a week before watering it again.
This cactus can handle some frost, but you shouldn’t let it get too cold or too wet, or it might start to look funny. It can handle super hot temperatures, though!
Make sure to put it in a sunny spot outside or in a bright spot inside, but don’t let it get too much direct sun. It’s great for desert gardens with other cacti. People in Hawaii even use the juice from the stem and root to help with constipation and pregnancy!
But watch out – this cactus is armed with some seriously sharp spines, so be careful when you’re handling it. And don’t let kids or animals get too close!

Propagation:

Cylindropuntia tunicata can be propagated through stem cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is in the spring or summer, when the plant is actively growing. Using clean and sharp shears, cut a piece of stem that is at least 4 inches long and has several segments. Allow the cutting to dry and callus over for a few days before planting it in a well-draining soil mix. Water sparingly until roots have formed, which can take several weeks.

Another method of propagation is by sowing seeds. Collect ripe fruits from the plant, remove the seeds and allow them to dry for a few days. Plant the seeds in a well-draining soil mix and keep them moist, but not too wet. Germination can take several weeks to a few months, so be patient!

Curiosity:

Cylindropuntia tunicata is commonly known as “Cholla” or “Chain Fruit Cholla” due to the chain-like appearance of its fruit.
The spines of Cylindropuntia tunicata are extremely sharp and barbed, making them difficult to remove from skin or clothing. In fact, they are so sharp that they were used by Native Americans as fishhooks and sewing needles.

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