Cylindropuntia californica var. californica
Snake cholla, Snake Cholla
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Cylindropuntia californica var. californica (Snake cholla) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by coastal habitat and normal fruiting vs chained fruits distinguishes from prolifera.
Snake cholla is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern Southern California Coastal region in coastal-sage scrub and coastal chaparral at elevations below 250 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces yellow to yellow-green flowers with purple-tipped petals, forming distinctive blossoms on its branching structure. Growing up to 1.5 meters tall with several decumbent to erect trunks, the plant features terminal segments up to 25 centimeters long and 2 to 4 centimeters in diameter. Its stems are characterized by 6 to 15 spines typically less than 2 centimeters long, ranging from yellow to orange-brown with translucent white to gold-brown sheaths. The plant develops leathery fruits with proximal tubercles prominently larger than distal ones, creating a distinctive architectural form in its native coastal habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; coastal habitat and normal fruiting vs chained fruits distinguishes from prolifera
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal-sage scrub, coastal chaparral
Elevation: < 250 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Cylindropuntia californica var. californica blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Opuntia: Cylindropuntia has cylindrical stem segments; Opuntia has flattened paddle-shaped pads.; vs Austrocylindropuntia: Cylindropuntia has papery spine sheaths that peel away; Austrocylindropuntia lacks spine sheaths entirely.; vs Echinocereus: Cylindropuntia has segmented stems that detach easily; Echinocereus has ribbed continuous stems.; vs Bergerocactus: Cylindropuntia has detachable segments with tubercles; Bergerocactus has continuous ribbed stems.; vs Grusonia: Cylindropuntia has round spines and grows waist-high or taller; Grusonia has flattened spines and stays under 10 inches.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cylindropuntia californica var. californica native to California?
Yes. Cylindropuntia californica var. californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cylindropuntia californica var. californica bloom?
Cylindropuntia californica var. californica blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Cylindropuntia californica var. californica belong to?
Cylindropuntia californica var. californica is in the Cactaceae family, genus Cylindropuntia.
Is Cylindropuntia californica var. californica rare or endangered?
Cylindropuntia californica var. californica carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Cylindropuntia californica var. californica grow in?
Cylindropuntia californica var. californica grows in Coastal-sage scrub, coastal chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.