Thistle cholla (Cylindropuntia tunicata)
Description
Cylindropuntia tunicata is a species in the genus Cylindropuntia in the family of cactus (Cactaceae). The specific epithet tunicata means (lat. Tunicatus) with a cloak 'cloak'. Spanish trivial names are "Abrojo", "Clavellina", "Coyonoxtle", "Sheathed Cholla" and "Tencholote".Cylindropuntia tunicata grows as a densely branched shrub and reaches stature heights of 30 to 60 centimeters. On the gently sloping, light green to green, 5 to 10 centimeters long and 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters in diameter measuring drive sections are strongly protruding broad humps. The triangular, yellow or tan-colored areolae bear 0.5 to 1.2 millimeters long pale yellow glochids . The five to twelve spines are present on most areoles and obscure the shoots. They are spread, needled, yellow and 3 to 6 inches long. The loose-fitting, perennial thorn sheaths are yellow to tan.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Caryophyllales
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Family: Cactaceae
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Genus: Cylindropuntia
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