Common names: Christmas Cholla, Desert, Christmas Cactus; sometimes confused with Pencil Cholla

Scientific name: Opuntia leptocaulis

Description: A narrow-stemmed cactus with pale yellow flowers, small bright red fruit, and long golden spines. The fruit remains on the plant even in the winter.

Dye: None.

Other uses: May be prepared as a food or beverage by Acoma, Hopi, Laguna, Maricopa, Navajo, Papago, Pima, and Yavapai. Considered a famine food by Acoma/Laguna.

Author

Kimberley A. Ryan, Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories

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