Semi-deserts. Sandy, rocky openings and grasslands. Summer.
BLM lands near Hovenweep National Monument, Utah, May 17, 2007.

In the Four Corners area these tall and spreading Cacti are found in just a few locations in Colorado, one in Utah, none in Arizona, and many in New Mexico.  Main branches are stout and thick, spines are numerous but do not obscure the main branch, and flowers are large and attractive.  The plants thrive on hot areas of sand and rock and grasslands where they commonly grow to four feet tall and wide.

The genus and species was named by F. M. Knuth in 1935.  The name is for the cylindrical stem shape of this Cactus, formerly in the  Opuntia genus.

Semi-deserts. Sandy, rocky openings and grasslands. Summer.
BLM lands near Hovenweep National Monument, Utah, May 17, 2007.

The evenly spaced snows and rains of the winter and spring of 2006-2007 promoted good new stem growth and the maroon buds in the middle promise many flowers.  As the photos of the flowers on this page indicate, the promise was fulfilled.

Semi-deserts. Sandy, rocky openings and grasslands. Summer.
BLM lands near Hovenweep National Monument, Utah, June 11, 2007.

Semi-deserts. Sandy, rocky openings and grasslands. Summer.
BLM lands near Hovenweep National Monument, Utah, June 11, 2007.