Beavertail Cactus
62. BUCKHORN CHOLLA CACTUSCactus Family
Opuntia acanthocarpa
The Cholla (pronounced Choya) Cactus is the only “tree” cactus found in Zion. It is fairly common in the Lower Sonoran Zone, especially in Coalpits Wash. Strangely enough this plant is a favorite nesting place of some desert birds, including sparrows, wrens and finches. The spreading branches seem to reach out and grab the careless hiker, and the barbed spines stick so fast in the flesh that the joint of the plant is separated from the main stem before the spines can be withdrawn. Cholla blossoms come in many shades of color with the accent on yellows and reds.
Buckhorn Cholla Cactus
63. ENGLEMANN PRICKLYPEAR CACTUSCactus Family
Opuntia engelmannii
As one of the largest of the flat-jointed or Pricklypear Cacti of Zion, this species is fairly abundant in Zion Canyon and is probably the most frequently observed species because of its dense growth in certain habitats and its fairly immense size as well as its colorful display of blossoms. It is locally called Elephant Ear Cactus. In June in produces large yellow flowers, very waxy in texture.
(See [Figure 64] for information concerning the fruit of this cactus.)
Engelmann Pricklypear Cactus