Click on the images below to see larger versions.
| Scientific Name | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (Opuntia leptocaulis) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CYLE8 |
| Common Name | Pencil Cactus, Desert Christmas Cactus | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 907718 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Rocky soils in deserts and semidesert areas and grasslands; often found among other shrubs; widespread up to 5000 ft. Plant: Compact low shrub up to 4 ft. tall. Pads & Spines: Long, thin cylindrical stems 1/4 to 1/2-inch in diameter, joints of primary stems 12 to 16 inches long, secondary terminal joints much shorter (1 to 3 inches long); spines usually only on primary stems, white to brown, one per areole and 1 to 2 inches long. Inflorescence: Small, greenish-yellow flowers 3/8 to 3/4-inch across. Fruit: Bright red, fleshy, pear-shaped or obovoid, 1/2 to 1 inch long; persistant throughout the winter. Bloom Period: May to September. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell and www.americansouthwest.net. |
BONAP Distribution Map |
Texas Status: Native |
