Cylindropuntia ganderi
Gander's cholla, Gander's Cholla
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Cylindropuntia ganderi (Gander's cholla) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by highest spine count (20-35) and golden spine sheaths distinctive.
Gander's cholla is a California native shrub found in the southeastern Peninsular Ranges in desert, chaparral, and pinyon/juniper woodland regions of eastern San Diego and southern Riverside counties at elevations of 200 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this distinctive cactus produces yellow to yellow-green flowers with red-tipped petals that emerge among its distinctive spiny branches. Growing up to 1.7 meters tall with several ascending trunks, the plant forms dense clusters of terminal segments with pale yellow to light brown spines. Its branches are characterized by prominent tubercles 11 to 25 millimeters long, covered in 20 to 35 spines that create a striking silvery-yellow appearance. The plant produces dry, densely-spined fruits with acute bases, creating a distinctive bur-like texture across its branching structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; highest spine count (20-35) and golden spine sheaths distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert, chaparral, pinyon/juniper woodland, sandy flats, rocky hillsides, boulder fields
Elevation: 200-1100 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside
Bloom period
Cylindropuntia ganderi blooms Mar-May.
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 ganderi native to California?
Yes. Cylindropuntia ganderi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cylindropuntia ganderi bloom?
Cylindropuntia ganderi blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Cylindropuntia ganderi grow?
Cylindropuntia ganderi occurs in San Diego, Riverside, at elevations of 200-1100 m.
What plant family does Cylindropuntia ganderi belong to?
Cylindropuntia ganderi is in the Cactaceae family, genus Cylindropuntia.
What habitat does Cylindropuntia ganderi grow in?
Cylindropuntia ganderi grows in Desert, chaparral, pinyon/juniper woodland, sandy flats, rocky hillsides, boulder fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.