| Micropuntia | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Genus: | Micropuntia Daston[1] |
| Species: | M. pulchella |
| Binomial name | |
| Micropuntia pulchella (Engelm.) M.P.Griff. | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
List
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Micropuntia is amonotypicgenus ofcactus. Its only species isMicropuntia pulchella,[1]synonymGrusonia pulchella.[2] The species is also known assagebrush cholla. It is a tuberousspecies ofopuntioidcactus from theGreat Basin Desert of centralNevada, easternCalifornia and westernUtah in the United States.[3][4]
Micropuntia pulchella grows in gravellyalluvial fans, often abovesalt flats oralkali basins. Specimens can be locally common, although they are difficult to locate, often growing under other shrubs such asshadscale.[5]
Micropuntia pulchella differs from other North American opuntioid cacti in having ageophytic 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 truetuber. 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.[6]