General: Matted Cholla (Grusonia parishii) is a low-growing, spreading tangle of cylindrical stems with long, stout spines. Looking carefully, the stems are club-shaped, but it is easier to see in the fruits.

Matted Cholla is an uncommon component of vegetation communities on well-drained sandy and gravelly soils on bajadas and moderate slopes into the lower mountains in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zone.

Around Las Vegas, look for populations of this cactus along the trail just north of the Red Rocks Visitor Center and on the hills to the east of the the Visitor Center.

Family: Cactus (Cactaceae).

Other Names: Club cholla, mat cholla, Opuntia parishii, Opuntia stanlyi var. parishii.

Plant Form: A low-growing, spreading tangle of cylindrical stems with long, stout spines.

Height: To about 10 inches.

Trunk: None.

Stems: Main stems grow along the ground. Branches erect, divided into club-shaped segments.

Stem Surface: Tuberculated.

Spines: Many, about 2-inches long, stout. Largest spines flattened.

Glochids: Present.

Flowers: Blooms late spring and early summer.

Fruit: Club-shaped, 2 to 3 inches long, fleshy, smooth, yellow; no spines, but many glochids.

Seeds: dark brown.

Habitat: Dry, well-drained sandy and gravelly soils on flats and bajadas.

Distribution: California deserts across southern Nevada and into western Arizona.

Elevation: 3,000 to 4,000 ft.

Comments:

Developing flower bud (notice the "club" shape).

Matted Cholla flower.

Matted Cholla flower.