CYLINDROPUNTIA BIGELOVII

Botanical Name: Cylindropuntia Bigelovii
Common Names: Teddy Bear Cholla

Alternate Botanical Names: Opuntia Bigelovii

Visual Characteristics: A collection of greenish spiny cylindrical growths arranged on a distinct trunk like stalk. Generally the size of a small bush, it can grow over six feet tall. Tightly interlaced yellowish spines densely cover the segments, helping it stand out from other Cylindropuntia such as Silver Cholla, with whom they share similar vibrant green flowers. The segments become heavier in wet conditions, making portions even more prone to being dislodged. Their ability so successfully vegatatively reproduce can make vast communities, referred to as Gholla Gardens.

Native to 29 Palms: Yes
Native to Adjacent Regions: Yes

Occurance In Neighborhoods: Uncommon

Occurance In Rural Areas: Rare

Use by Indigenous Cultures: Some traditional desert people made Cholla buds, called Coilim, an important part of their lifestyle. Clay would be built into cooking pits, where Coilim and saltbush were placed and covered with leaves. Feasting events of dancing and spirituality lasted for hours while the pits slowly steamed.

Sentiments: As with all Cylindropuntia, there is an alluring alien or underwater feel when experiencing these plants. Although not as otherworldly in stature as some of its counterparts, a bold and stately prominance can be observed, bolstered with perhaps the most formidable defenses among its relatives.

OPUNTIA BASILARIS

Botanical Name: Opuntia Basilaris

Common Names: Beavertail Prickly Pear

Alternate Botanical Names: n/a

Visual Characteristics: This plant one of most ubiquitously recognized Cactus species, in spite of its extra low profile. Its segments are pad like, green, acceted with shades of gray, and covered in small spines known to botany as Glochids. Environmental factors can affect their pads. Dry seasons bring wither and shrivel, while temperature can change its colors. After rainy seasons, the pads begin to swell and new growths emerge on top of existing pads. Gorgeous magenta flowers bloom in spring. 

Native To 29 Palms: Yes
Native To Adjacent Regions: Yes

Occurance In Neighborhoods: Common

Occurance In Rural Areas: Common

Use by Indigenous Cultures: Some native communities relied on Beavertail Prickly Pair as a main source of sustinance. Similar to its Cylindropuntia cousins, the unbloomed flower growths were gathered to be cooked, or cured and placed in stores for the future. The seeds were ground into meal. 

Sentiments: Sat so flat on mat of mud, Molded mounds moored from a flood, fold and peel in heat so dry, rains they wait in sky so sly.

CHILOPSIS LINEARIS

Botanical Name: Chilopsis Linearis

Common Names: Desert Willow

Alternate Botanical Names: Bignonia Linearis, Chilopsis Saligna

Visual Characteristics: Often tree like, with intricate weeping branches. They seem to hover in the breeze, as if sailing over gravity rather than completely succumbing to its infallible will. Pinkish inflorescences followed by thin green pods wave in the wisp of wind. After the pods split and release their seeds, many turn brown and remain in marcescent fashion, further illuminating the plants silhoutte. Those which do not remain attached flutter earthbound in dense congregations near the trunk, scattering sparsely as outward they land.

Native To 29 Palms: Yes
Native To Adjacent Regions: Yes

Occurance In Neighborhoods: Common

Occurance In Rural Areas: Common

Use by Indigenous Cultures: Many The branches were used for small tools, weapons and equipment. Parts of the plant were also implemented to treat fungal infections, respitory ailments and small lacerations. 

Sentiments: Leaves they linger leering ground, some defy the laws they bound, The pull so full oh hear it call, still they stand and sweetly stall, In the night her soil seeps, And flowers bloom breach its reach.