Branched Pencil Cholla

Cylindropuntia ramosissima

"Cylindropuntia ramosissima" is a species of cactus known by the common names diamond cholla and branched pencil cholla.
Cylindropuntia ramosissima or Diamond Cholla bush https://www.jungledragon.com/image/133277/cylindropuntia_ramosissima_or_diamond_cholla_spines.html Cylindropuntia ramosissima,Geotagged,Spring,United States

Appearance

"Cylindropuntia ramosissima" is a decumbent or erect and treelike cactus which can approach 2 meters-6 feet in maximum height. It has many narrow branches made up of cylindrical segments, green in color drying gray, the surface divided into squarish, flat tubercles with few or no spines, or often with a single long, straight spine.

The flower is small and orange, pink or brownish in color. The fruit is a small, dry, spiny body up to 2 centimeters long.
Cylindropuntia ramosissima or Diamond Cholla spines Note the lacewing on the right side Cylindropuntia ramosissima,Geotagged,Spring,United States

Distribution

"Cylindropuntia ramosissima" is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the Southwestern United States, California, and Northwestern Mexico, and to Baja California and its Islas San Benito.

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusCylindropuntia
SpeciesC. ramosissima