Cane Cholla Cactus
The beautiful Cholla Cactus are abundant throughout our neighborhood and the Eldorado at Santa Fe area. They attract many of New Mexico’s native bees and other pollinators.
Nikon D500, Tamron 18-400 mm
CANE CHOLLA CACTUS
(Tree Cholla Cactus)
Cactus Family Cactaceae
Upright, brushy to tree-like cactus 2-8 ft. tall, common in foothill scrub and piñon-juniper woodland, 4,000-7,500 ft. Flowers at tips of branches, red to magenta, up to 3 in. diameter, 1 1/2-2 in. long. Blooms late May through July. Considered as “starvation food”; many Pueblo Indian tribes utilized stored, roasted young stem joints in times of famine. Dried fruit was ground, mixed with cornmeal, and made into a mush. Stem needles used for sewing and tattooing.
Plant and flower information from:
Wildflowers of the Northern and Central Mountains of New Mexico Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia, and Manzano,
By Larry J. Littlefield & Pearl M. Burns