Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
(Pencil Cactus)
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, Palo Duro Canyon State Park 0348
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, Palo Duro Canyon State Park 0350
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, Palo Duro Canyon State Park 0367
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, Palo Duro Canyon State Park 0364
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, southeast of Llano, Llano Co. 7926
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, Palo Duro Canyon State Park 0372
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, southeast of Llano, Llano Co. 7919
| 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 |
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| 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 American Southwest. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024