Cylindropuntia californica
Cylindropuntia californica is a species of cholla cactus known by the common name snake cholla. It is primarily found in Baja California, Mexico and the southernmost part of California in the United States. It is characterized by a short, decumbent habit, yellow-green flowers, elongated stems, and short spines. It is mostly found in coastal sage scrub and coastal chaparral habitats, but two varieties in Baja California can be found in foothills and deserts. In California, variety californica is regarded as a rare and threatened plant, with a California Native Plant Society listing of 1B.1, in part due to its limited number of occurrences and threats from development. It formerly was considered to have a larger range due to the inclusion of Cylindropuntia bernardina within it as the variety parkeri. Description A short, sprawling cactus, this species is typically found growing less than high. There are usually several to many trunks, with the main branches and stems usually sprawling along the ground or becoming erect. The terminal segments of the stems are usually less than long and measure in diameter. The tubercles on the stem measure and are less than high. The spines of this cactus are generally less than long,