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Matted Cholla (Grusonia parishii)
Cactus Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)

General: Matted Cholla (Grusonia parishii) is a low-growing, spreading tangle of cylindrical stems with long, stout spines. Looking carefully, the stems are club-shaped, but it is easier to see in the fruits.

Matted Cholla is an uncommon component of vegetation communities on well-drained sandy and gravelly soils on bajadas and moderate slopes into the lower mountains in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zone.

Around Las Vegas, look for populations of this cactus along the trail just north of the Red Rocks Visitor Center and on the hills to the east of the Visitor Center.

Family: Cactus (Cactaceae).

Other Names: Club cholla, mat cholla, Opuntia parishii, Opuntia stanlyi var. parishii, Corynopuntia parishii.

Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)

Plant Form: A low-growing, spreading tangle of cylindrical stems with long, stout spines.

Height: To about 10 inches.

Trunk: None.

Stems: Main stems grow along the ground. Branches erect, divided into club-shaped segments.

Stem Surface: Tuberculated.

Spines: Many, about 2-inches long, stout. Largest spines flattened.

Glochids: Present.

Flowers: Blooms late spring and early summer.

Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)

Fruit: Club-shaped, 2 to 3 inches long, fleshy, smooth, yellow; no spines, but many glochids.

Seeds: dark brown.

Habitat: Dry, well-drained sandy and gravelly soils on flats and bajadas.

Distribution: California deserts across southern Nevada and into western Arizona.

Elevation: 3,000 to 4,000 ft.

Comments:

Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla on hillside in Red Rock Canyon NCA
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla on desert flats in Red Rock Canyon NCA
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla; Desert NWR, Desert Dry Lake (new county record)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla with flower
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla flower
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii) Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Developing flower bud (notice the "club" shape)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Developing fruit (the flower is gone)
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Matted Cholla with fruits
Matted Cholla (Opuntia parishii)
Well defended, mature fruit

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 220814

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