Cylindropuntia fulgida grows at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,000 m (980 to 3,280 ft).
While the name "jumping cholla" is applied especially to this species, it is also used as a general term for all chollas.

The jumping cholla is an arborescent (tree-like) plant with one low-branching trunk.
It often grows to heights of 4 m (13 ft), with drooping branches of chained fruit.
The stems are light green and are strongly tuberculate, with tubercles (small, wart-like projections on the stems) measuring 6 to 9 mm.
Together, the plants form fantastic looking forests that may range over many hectares.

Leaves have been reduced to spines, 6 to 12 of which grow from each areole.
Young branches are covered with 2 to 3 cm (1 to 1 in) silvery-yellow spines, which darken to a gray color with age.
These spines form a dense layer that obscures the stems.
Slower growing or older branches have sparse and/or shorter spines.
As the spines fall off of older parts, the brown-black bark is revealed.
It becomes rough and scaly with age.

Flowers are white and pink, streaked with lavender.
They are about one inch wide, and are displayed at the joint tips (or old fruit tips), blooming in mid-summer.

Most of the fleshy, green fruits are sterile, pear-shaped to nearly round, wrinkled with a few spines.
They are typically about 4 cm (1.5 in) long, often producing flowers the following year which add new fruits to those of previous seasons.
It is these hanging chains of fruit which give it the name "hanging chain cholla".
Cylindropuntia fulgida grows at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,000 m (980 to 3,280 ft). While the name "jumping cholla" is applied especially to this species, it is also used as a general term for all chollas.
The jumping cholla is an arborescent (tree-like) plant with one low-branching trunk. It often grows to heights of 4 m (13 ft), with drooping branches of chained fruit. The stems are light green and are strongly tuberculate, with tubercles (small, wart-like projections on the stems) measuring 6 to 9 mm. Together, the plants form fantastic looking forests that may range over many hectares.
Leaves have been reduced to spines, 6 to 12 of which grow from each areole. Young branches are covered with 2 to 3 cm (1 to 1 in) silvery-yellow spines, which darken to a gray color with age. These spines form a dense layer that obscures the stems. Slower growing or older branches have sparse and/or shorter spines. As the spines fall off of older parts, the brown-black bark is revealed. It becomes rough and scaly with age.
Flowers are white and pink, streaked with lavender. They are about one inch wide, and are displayed at the joint tips (or old fruit tips), blooming in mid-summer.
Most of the fleshy, green fruits are sterile, pear-shaped to nearly round, wrinkled with a few spines. They are typically about 4 cm (1.5 in) long, often producing flowers the following year which add new fruits to those of previous seasons. It is these hanging chains of fruit which give it the name "hanging chain cholla".
Cylindropuntia fulgida