SEEDS for Purple Staghorn Cholla - Cylindropuntia Versicolor - Wild Grown Arizona Spiky Purple Desert Succulent Plant ~ Multicolor Blooms

Please note: Instructions on growing and handling are included with all orders, but it is up to you to research each plant and adjust to your climate. Please consider humidity and moisture levels in comparison to their native desert climates, and adjust your watering schedule, sunlight, and soil needs accordingly to what you may read online. "Full sun" in Southern Arizona is not the same as "full sun" in Pennsylvania. Any plant can be grown anywhere with the right knowledge, preparation and care.
Cactus poaching is a huge problem here in the Southwest. I use cactus photos from my hikes out in the Sonoran desert for some of my listings, because these are great examples of mature plants in a beautiful natural environment, but don't get it twisted! I do not practice or condone poaching from the wild. All cactus cuttings are taken from my own plants grown outside in my garden or greenhouse, or gathered legally & sustainably on private properties with permission.

Scientific name: Cylindropuntia versicolor
Common name: Staghorn cholla
Range: South Arizona, from south Phoenix to Mexico
Form: Tree-like; branches from a short, woody trunk
Habitat: Scrubland, grassland, from 2,000 to 4,200 feet
Flowers: Red, orange, yellowish green, bronze, pink; between April and June

The latin species name for staghorn cholla (versicolor) reflects the wide range of colors of its long-lasting flowers, which are produced in spring and early summer; they may be red, yellow, purple or intermediate shades. Stamens have greenish-yellow filaments and yellow anthers; the lobed stigma is very pale green, or white.

The cactus adopts a typical upright, branched form, up to 6 feet tall, with slender, green or purple stems up to 7 inches long, covered with elongated tubercles bearing clusters of six to eight light-colored spines, usually with one or two much shorter, bristle-like spines.

The spines are variable in length but all are short - not more than 0.7 inches, and the neat clusters are quite widely separated so that the spines generally do not overlap, which is one way to distinguish the staghorn cholla from the similar buckhorn cholla (a slightly wider-stemmed species occupying the same range), for here the spines are longer and thicker, and adjacent clusters do overlap. Another is the fruit; although both are the same color (green) that of the buckhorn is spiny and somewhat knobbly, whereas staghorn's is smooth, rounded, spineless, and remains on the plant a lot longer, sometimes forming short chains. The fruits are often bright red to purple; they have between 20 and 30 areoles, and only very shallow tubercles.

Staghorn cholla is found over a small area of south Arizona, centered on Tucson, and extending south into Mexico, but can be grown anywhere with some extra care.

This plant has many uses and medicinal properties. It has been used as a food and medicine by several Native American tribes. It was also used for making fences, toys, and utensils. The fruit of this plant is edible and sweet tasting. The wood with its signature holes is used in crafts and terrariums. This cactus is a favorite nesting spot for birds. It is spiny enough to protect them from predators.

How to prepare cholla buds for eating: https://honest-food.net/cholla-buds-edible/

Please note: Instructions on growing and handling are included with all orders, but it is up to you to research each plant and adjust to your climate. Please consider humidity and moisture levels in comparison to their native desert climates, and adjust your watering schedule, sunlight, and soil needs accordingly to what you may read online. "Full sun" in Southern Arizona is not the same as "full sun" in Pennsylvania. Any plant can be grown anywhere with the right knowledge, preparation and care.
Cactus poaching is a huge problem here in the Southwest. I use cactus photos from my hikes out in the Sonoran desert for some of my listings, because these are great examples of mature plants in a beautiful natural environment, but don't get it twisted! I do not practice or condone poaching from the wild. All cactus cuttings are taken from my own plants grown outside in my garden or greenhouse, or gathered legally & sustainably on private properties with permission.

Please note: Purpling is from winter cold/sun/winter conditions. Will turn more green in summer or more humid conditions. Rooted plants will come green and turn purple as they grow. Since cuttings are best rooted in shade, they may turn more green then as well. Cuttings are more purple since they are taken from mature plants, but can still be greener during certain seasons.