CHAIN LINK CHOLLA (Opuntia cholla)

The chain link cholla is common on desert flats and hillsides in parts of mainland Mexico and in the southern regions of the Baja California peninsula. It is characterised by the chain-link appearance of the stems (see close-up image below) with swollen tubercles that bear spines (yellow at first then turning grey with age). The plants produce pink flowers that give rise to green, fleshy fruits at the ends of the branches. Often these fruits occur in chains and persist on the plant for more than one season. When they drop they can root to produce further plants.