Cylindrical stem segments up to 15 cm long and 2-3 cm thick; detach easily; densely spiny, with 4-12 rusty-yellow spines ~1-2 cm long coming out of a tubercle or bump (~1-2 cm long, half as broad), tubercles in a grid-like pattern covering the stem segments Cactus 1 - 3 m high, upright tree-like growth (though typically sprawling out wider than its height), with yellow flowers April through July, looks somewhat intermediate between the two Opuntia spp. and desert cholla spp. Found on ocean bluffs and in sage scrub (coastal and inland) up to about 300 m.
Cylindropuntia prolifera aka Opuntia prolifera (Cactaceae): coast cholla
The development of this key was partially funded through the Geoscience Diversity Enhancement Program (Award #0703798) and through a course of re-assigned time provided by the CSULB Scholarly and Creative Activities Committee. Thanks also to the students in sections of biogeography, introductory physical geography, GDEP, and LSAMP for "test-driving" various editions of this key.