Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Cactaceae

Genus:

Cylindropuntia

Species:

Cylindropuntia californica

USDA Symbol:

CYCA25

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

250 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

yellow, green, red

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Can resprout from surviving stem segments after fire; typically found in fire-prone chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitats.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

Thrives in arid, desert-like conditions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

14–60 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions; vegetative propagation from stem segments is more common and reliable.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI