Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: 'Snow Leopard' cholla

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus)

Distribution: Cultivated

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5 (-20 to -10 °F)

Life form: Cactus/succulent

Occurrence in New Mexico: Cultivar

Growing Conditions: This species is native to high elevations of the Colorado Plateau from northern Arizona to the Four Corners region, at elevations from 4,400-7,400 feet. Like other chollas, it is extremely drought tolerant. These chollas grow on hillsides, plains and in grasslands, and can form dense, low spiny thickets which can impede grazing. The plant is extremely cold hardy, surviving below zero degrees F. It will also survive cold, wet conditions.

Description: ‘Snow Leopard’ cholla grows 1-4 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide. The plant is often more upright in warm parts of Arizona, but may form dense, low spiny thickets in colder areas. It has many branches and the joints are not easily detached. The stems are densely covered with pale yellow or silvery-white spines. It produces 2-inch yellow flowers in June. Yellowish-green fruits persist for a year or more.