Taxon Report

Cylindropuntia munzii (C.B. Wolf) Backeb.

Munz's cholla

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Cylindropuntia munzii, commonly known as Munz's cholla, is a perennial stem in the Cactaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Sonoran desert scrub (gravelly, and sandy), growing at elevations from 150 to 600 meters. Cylindropuntia munzii is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Cylindropuntia munzii (C.B. Wolf) Backeb.
Common Name:	Munz's cholla
Family:	Cactaceae
Element Code:	PDCAC0D0V0
USDA Plants Symbol:	CYMU12
Synonyms/Other Names:	Opuntia munzii

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial stem
Blooming Period: May	May
Elevation:	150-600 (490-1970)
General Habitats:	Sonoran desert scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.3
Global Rank:	G3
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; IUCN_LC; SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	6
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	1
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	2
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	3

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Imperial (IMP), Riverside (RIV)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Acolita (3311512), Augustine Pass (3311543), Blue Mountain (3311521), Chuckwalla Spring (3311542), East of Acolita (3311511), Iris (3311524), Iris Pass (3311544), Iris Wash (3311534), Lion Head Mtn. (3311533), Little Chuckwalla Mts. (3311541), Little Mule Mts. (3311531), Mammoth Wash (3311522), Mt. Barrow (3311428), Pegleg Well (3311532), Tortuga (3311523)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	1
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	1	17 %
Military operations	1	16%

Notes



Known only from the Chocolate and Chuckawalla Mtns. Of hybrid origin, but stabilized; only reproducing vegetatively. Some occurrences threatened by military activities.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 28 June 2025].