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Buckhorn Cholla

Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa

true

1 gallon

Buckhorn Cholla

In stock

3'x7'

Sizes:

Buckhorn Cholla – Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa

The Buckhorn Cholla is found across the Colorado, Mojave, and Sonoran deserts, where it can be a striking presence in the landscape. Plants are generally large and tree-like, sometimes reaching up to 10 feet tall. The branching form is open and irregular, with woody lower stems on older specimens.

The stems (or “joints”) are green, turning yellow-green in moist weather or purple-green during dry conditions. Each joint is covered with tubercles (nodules), each bearing clusters of stiff, barbed spines that are spaced widely enough to allow the stem color to be visible. The plant’s irregular criss-cross of branches gives it a wild, untamed look.

Flowers range from yellow to red, with many intermediate shades, and bloom from April to May. The fruits are oval, dry, and covered with long barbed spines, persisting on the plant long after flowering.

Buckhorn Cholla provides valuable structure in desert ecosystems. Its spiny branches deter predators, making it a favorite nesting site for desert birds, while flowers and fruits offer resources for pollinators and wildlife.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: None documented for specialist butterflies/moths.

Nectar Source: Native bees; generalist pollinators; hummingbirds

Bird Resources: Fruit/Berries; Nectar; Seeds; Cavity; Nesting habitat

Bird Species: Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus), LeConte’s Thrasher (Toxostoma lecontei), Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata), Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis), House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

Plant Care

Native region:

Mojave Desert; Local Native

Water needs:

Very Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

3'x7'

Growth rate:

Moderate

Flower color:

Yellow; Red; Orange

Flower season:

Spring-Summer

Pruning:

None required

Cold Hardiness:

15 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Yes

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Yes

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.