Chainfruit Cholla Opuntia fulgida
This cactus gets its name from the long hanging chains of fruit formed when flowers grow on the previous year's fruit. Chains can be up to two feet long.
At Sabino Canyon, chainfruit chollas are found in the lower bajada areas along with prickly pear cacti. Cactus wrens, zebra-tailed lizards and desert cottontails are easily observed in this habitat.
These cacti grow in a tree-like fashion, averaging about six feet tall, often in little forests of clones.
At the schoolThe Spanish names are
velas de coyote (coyote's candle) and
brincadora (jumper).
Chainfruits bloom from May to August. I posted a sketch of some chainfruit blossoms on my
Desert Colors blog for
Cactus Monday.
Chainfruit Cholla Opuntia fulgida
At Sabino Canyon, chainfruit chollas are found in the lower bajada areas along with prickly pear cacti. Cactus wrens, zebra-tailed lizards and desert cottontails are easily observed in this habitat.
These cacti grow in a tree-like fashion, averaging about six feet tall, often in little forests of clones.
At the school
Chainfruits bloom from May to August. I posted a sketch of some chainfruit blossoms on my Desert Colors blog for Cactus Monday.
24 comments:
Wow, Diane...I love cactus flowers! They are so vibrant, and so beautiful!
Thanks for sharing, I love the sequence shots of the bloom!
Gorgeous and inspiring!
HCM Diane!
Beautiful photos. I really enjoy seeing the different plants from around the country.
Sunny :)
Fabulous cactus (or is it cacti?). These plants always fascinate me.
That is amazing, Diane. I've never seen that type of cactus before. They are really pretty... I'm thrilled to learn so much from your area.
Hugs,
Betsy
Wow, those are really pretty.
Kay
You just helped identify some of the cholla behind our back fence. Thank you!
I've never seen such tall chollas. A cactus forest might be a place to be careful taking a walk, especially those jumpers.
the combination of the purple fruit of prickly pears and the chollas is amazing, and the bloom of the cactus is so inspiring. love all the blooms.
I just love your blog. You are an amazing photographer with such an artistic eye for composition. I am always telling my husband, Look, Look at this one Diane posted. We are big fans. Judy
These are so interestingly gorgeous! I wouldn't want to get to close to one, but I like the whiteness of them. Somehow they make me think of Christmas!!! LOL.
Happy CM!
That are so wonderful to see, its like candy for the eyes...
I have not seen any like these before. The desert holds so much beauty...
i am never a fan of cactus but i am becoming one! great cactus shots! the blooms are beautiful!
I love the purple flowers! The one with the bee is great. They are so hard to photograph! I'm in Tucson now visiting family. The sunset was so beautiful last night!
Diane, these are great photos of a great cactus. The desert has many charms and I'm so glad we get to experience them through your blog.
Your post reminds me to slow down and observe the blooms/fruit on the cactus around me. Most of the time I forget to watch all the wonderful "happenings" in our neck of the cactus :)
How amazing! I love your photos of these incredible cacti with those almost surreal chains of fruit! The light shining through the edges of their stems looks beautiful.
I have never seen so many variety of cactus. Snaps are very beautiful.
That must be a fantastic sight Diane, but then I am partial to all flowers of course. :) A lovely post on these cacti. Fascinating family of plants.
I like the choya and the storm clouds in the previous post are fantastic. I'm glad you finally got some rain.
Lovely photos! The desert in indeed a beautiful place teeming with life forms, and you've captured it well.
I've not seen the chainfruit chollas when I've been there. I'd like to see them!
Hi Diane, Me again!!! Check my blogs (yesterday's and today's). I wrote 'my' story..
Hugs,
Betsy
Very good post! My biggest Cholla is a chainfruit and bird killer- I found 2 new young birds speared to death this summer in its thorns....much as I love the cactus I hate how it seems to need bird blood to thrive!
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