Chainfruit Cholla Flower #1

The delicious but diminutive pink to magenta flower of the vicious jumping cholla. This delightful little blossom measures barely an inch (25mm)... more

by Douglas Taylor

Title

Chainfruit Cholla Flower #1

Artist

Douglas Taylor

Medium

Photograph - Fine Art Digital Photography

Description

The delicious but diminutive pink to magenta flower of the vicious "jumping" cholla. This delightful little blossom measures barely an inch (25mm) across, and is only open at the end of the hottest days of summer.

The "jumping" cholla, also known as Chainfruit Cholla (Cylindroputia fulgida) is only native to the Sonoran Desert surrounding Tucson, Arizona and this tall, multiple branching plant is covered by a dense thicket of needle-sharp, barbed spines which detract from its wonderful flower. This tiny jewel is seldom appreciated by anything but bees due to these facts.

Oddly, this beautiful flower and the fruit that follows is not the cholla's typical means of reproduction. The hard fruit will hang on the chainfruit colla for many years, like a bunch of grapes, and rarely eaten by desert critters who would then disperse the seeds. Instead, it replicates itself by shedding segments that come in contact with any animal passing by. It almost seems to jump into your skin if you get close, hence the nickname "Jumping Cholla". Once the segment drops off, it may take root where it falls, eventually growing into a replica of the original. I know that I have personally participated in this reproductive strategy more than a few times in my desert travels!

Uploaded

December 31st, 2023