^{(Photograph  = Cylindropuntia abyssi, Nancy Hussey)}

Introduction

Cylindropuntia abyssi is known only from the area of Peach Springs, AZ and is sometimes called the Peach Springs Canyon cholla. It occurs on the limestone hills and limestone-derived flats.

The Details

C. abyssi is little known. This species may be a hybrid involving C. bigelovii, which also occurs in the Peach Springs area and which it superficially resembles.

C. abyssi are small, openly branching shrubs to 3-ft tall. There are 10 to 15 white or yellowish spines per areole, and the sheaths are white, silver, or pale yellowish. The flowers, filaments, and stigmas are greenish-yellow with cream styles. Fruits are yellow, dry, and mostly spineless. C. abyssi is diploid (2n = 22).

Related Reading: Cylindropuntia chuckwallensis