Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, commonly referred to as buckhorn cholla, is a cholla native to the Mojave, Sonoran, and Colorado Deserts of North America. Along with Cylindropuntia bigelovii, it is the most common cholla found in these deserts.
Varieties
There are a number of recognized varieties include:- Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. acanthocarpa
- Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. coloradensis — L.D. Benson; Colorado buckhorn cholla.
- Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. ganderi — L.D. Benson
- Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. major — Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow
- Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. ramosa — Peebles
- Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. thornberi — L.D. Benson; Thornber's buckhorn cholla.
Ethnobotany
- Early spring was called ko'oak macat by the Tohono O'odham because of scarce food supplies. During this season, they turned to cacti for food and pit-roasted thousands of calcium-rich cholla flower buds.]
- Today's O'odham people still pit-roast or boil the cholla buds, which taste like asparagus tips.