Any cactus of the genus Opuntia , native to North and South America, having needlelike spines partly enclosed in a papery sheath.
Chollas vary greatly in size and have small flowers, sometimes chartreuse and inconspicuous, but usually of more striking colors. O. leptocaulis , the desert Christmas cactus, bears bright red fruits through the winter. Living plants serve as food for desert animals. Cholla wood, a hollow cylinder with regularly spaced holes, is used for fuel and novelties. Some cholla fruit is edible.
Jumping cholla ( Opuntia bigelovii )
Grant Heilman