(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
