I went out on our patio this afternoon and noticed the moon above this pencil cholla (pronounced choy-ah) cactus. I went and got my camera to capture this photo of the half-moon in the blue sky with the cactus in the foreground. Click on the image to enlarge.
Cap’n, I think your pencil cholla is actually called “Buckhorn Cholla” Pencil cholla is much more slender, and is down in southeast Arizona. Still, a nice looking cactus. However, I like the Saguaro and the little Fishhook Pincushion the best.
Hey Crotalus! Locals call it pencil – there is also Jumping and Teddy Bear Cholla all look similar. I think its a regional thing.
I can see why it could be confusing – there are more than 20 varieties of opuntia.
Yup! There are lots of Opuntia, chollas and prickly pears both. And “Pencil Cholla” very well could be a local name for what’s pictured.