Cylindropuntia Leptocaulis

The long thin stems (thinnest of any cholla species) of cylindropuntia leptocaulis are at most half an inch across (usually a quarter of an inch) but the sharp and thick spines may exceed 2 inches, and are easily detached on contact. There is usually just one spine per areole, white or golden brown, angled slightly downwards, but some plants are mostly spineless. The densely-branched stems are pale green in color, or sometimes purplish, and smooth, without any pronounced tubercles.

The plant forms a low shrub - up to 5 feet tall - that seeks out larger bushes for protection, and is widespread across three Southwest states (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), up to elevations of 5,000 feet. Its range extends to southwest Oklahoma.

Flowers are yellowish and quite small. Stamens have greenish-yellow filaments and yellow anthers. The lobed stigma is greenish-yellow. The small (around half an inch long), spineless, egg-shaped fruits are bright red and remain on the plant all through midwinter, hence the common name of Christmas cholla. The fruits are one feature that distinguishes this plant from the similar Arizona pencil cholla, as that has dull green fruits.