Kingdom Plantae Family Cactaceae Species G. parishii | Order Caryophyllales Subfamily Opuntioideae Rank Genus | |
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Similar Grusonia, Corynopuntia, Grusonia parishii, Corynopuntia emoryi, Grusonia marenae | ||
Grusonia pulchella (Engelm.) H.Rob. (sagebrush cholla) is a tuberous species of opuntioid cactus from the Mojave Desert of central Nevada, eastern California, northwestern Arizona and western Utah in the United States. Grusonia pulchella has at various times been included in Opuntia or placed in a separate genus Micropuntia.
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Habitat
Grusonia pulchella grows in gravelly alluvial fans, often above salt flats or alkali basins. Specimens can be locally common, although they are difficult to locate, often growing under other shrubs such as shadscale.
Description
Grusonia pulchella differs from other North American opuntioid cacti in having a geophytic habit, where above-ground growth dies back to the crown in adverse conditions, and resprouts under more favorable conditions. Authors have described the underground storage structure as a "tuberous root" or true tuber. The above-ground stems are variable, being cylindrical to globular. The areoles bear flexible yellow spines and white wool. Overall, the above-ground growth can often form a cushion-plant habit. The flowers are bright magenta, and the fruits are dehiscent. The seeds are unique, with a groove running along the hilar surface.
Synonymy
