Opuntiads of the USA

(by Joe Shaw and Dave Ferguson)

Mission

Opuntia Species

Opuntia Country No. 1
Opuntia Country No. 2
Opuntia Country No. 3
Opuntia Country No. 4
Opuntia Country No. 5

Opuntia Country with
Daiv Freeman

Opuntia County, Big Bend

World Opuntiads

Peru Cactus Trip

Northern Patagonia Cactus Trip

Northern Patagonia Sights

Notes from the Editors

Culture Notes

Literature

Editorial Board

News

WWW Links

Agave Photos

Cylindropuntia imbricata (D.C.) F. Kunth

Cylindropunia imbricata is a large cholla that is frequently encountered in some parts of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorato. In some areas it is a dominant plant, often towering above grasslands in great numbers. C. imbricata is abundant between Albuquerque and Taos, New Mexico. Reports indicate the species occurs in Kansas and perhpas Utah. Read an early description of Opuntia imbricata and O. lloydii. Presently, both names are included in C. imbricata.

C. imbricata is a cold-hardy and wet-tolerant cactus often employed in cactus gardens in cold and/or humid climates. Naturally occurring hybrids between C. imbricata and C. whipplei are known from several locations. The Flora of North America online recognizes two varieties of C. imbricata (var imbricata and var aborescens). C. imbricata var arborescens is only know from a small region in southwest Texas, and is probably much more abundant in Mexico.

See the large photos below the thumnails; they document C. imbricata from the north end of its range (provided by Dr. Daniel Mugaburu).

Cylindropuntia imbricata habitat, Placitas NM.	Cylindropuntia imbricata, near Alcalde, NM.	Cylindropuntia imbricata, on lava flow, 5-10 miles west of Corrizozo, NM.
Cylindropuntia imbricata, northeast side of Albuquerque, NM, near Cibola National Forest, showing 1-year-old yellow fruits.	C. imbricata (with Echinocereus fendleri in bloom at base of plant), northeast of Albuquerque, NM, elevation about 5,300 ft (Tramway Blvd).	Cylindropuntia imbricata habitat, 20-30 miles east of San Antonio, NM, plants growing in grazed cow pasture.
Cylindropuntia imbricata, Guadalupe Mountains Park, Texas.	Cylindropuntia imbricata growing in rocky soils at northern end of Sandia Mountain Wilderness, below slopes of Sandia Mountains, Placitas, NM, looking south or southeast.	Cylindropuntia imbricata fruit on plants west of Carrizozo, NM, drought year, May 2006
Cylindropuntia imbricata, plains west of Carrizozo, NM, May 2006, drought year	Cylindropuntia imbricata, on lava flow, west of Carrizozo, NM, May 2006	Cylindropuntia imbricata, on lava flow, west of Carrizozo
Cylindropuntia imbricata, on lava flow, west of Carrizozo, NM, May 2006	Close-up of image at left	Cylindropuntia imbricata, on lava flow, west of Carrizozo, NM, May 2006, with Dasylirion species
Cylindropuntia imbricata, on lava flow, west of Carrizozo, with hiker	Cylindropuntia imbricata, on lava flow, west of Carrizozo, NM, May 2006	Close-up of image at left
Cylindropuntia imbricata with O. phaecantha, near Aguirre Spring Campground, Organ Mountains east of Las Cruces, NM	Cylindropuntia imbricata growing with O. engelmannii, O. orbiculata, and O. microcarpa at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, near Pine Springs Visitors area	Close-up of plant from scene at left, in flower

C. imbricata, in habitat near Texas Creek, CO, a far northern location for the species, copyright Daniel Mugaburu, 2006.

C. imbricata, in habitat near Texas Creek, CO, a far northern location for the species, copyright Daniel Mugaburu, 2006.