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

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
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:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 2 June 2025].