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.