Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Cylindropuntia whipplei (Engelm. & Bigelow) F.M. Knuth
(Whipple Cholla)
Family: Cactaceae
Status: Native
Synonyms:
Cylindropuntia hualpaensis (Hester) Backeb.
Cylindropuntia whipplei is not common in our area, but not hard to recognize. It has smaller stems than all Cylindropuntias except C. leptocaulis in our area. The bright red fruit of C. leptocaulis immediately differentiates it from C. whipplei. C. whipplei is found at lower elevation.
Many thanks to Radha Veach for letting us use her wonderful pix!
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Cylindropuntia whipplei, photo Radha Veach, Gila area, June 1, 2022
Cylindropuntia whipplei, closeup of flower, photo Radha Veach, Gila area, June 1, 2022
Cylindropuntia whipplei, habit, photo Radha Veach, Gila area, January 30, 2021
Cylindropuntia whipplei, fruit, photo Radha Veach, Gila area, January 30, 2021
Cylindropuntia whipplei, stems, photo Radha Veach, Gila area, January 30, 2021
Cylindropuntia whipplei, stems, photo Radha Veach, Gila area, January 30, 2021
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