Boxing-glove Cactus
Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata
NEMBA: Category 1b
English: Boxing-glove Cactus, Mamillate Cactus, Boxing Glove Cholla, Club Cactus, Coral Cactus, Jumping Cactus
Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata, commonly known as Boxing Glove Cholla, is a formidable invasive cactus species in South Africa. This densely spiny succulent grows as a shrub or small tree up to 3 meters tall, distinguished by its distorted, swollen stem segments that resemble boxing gloves and are covered in formidable barbed spines.
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Origins: North America
Overall Appearance:
A shrubby cactus with cylindrical, jointed stems that are densely covered in long, barbed spines. The stems often have a distorted, "boxing glove" shape. They grow up to 1 meter and can spread widely to form dense thickets.
Leaves: Reduced to spines.
Flowers: Pink to magenta flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
Fruits: Spiny, green to yellowish fruits that form in chains.
Seeds: Seeds are produced but are not a significant means of reproduction in South Africa.
Soil Type: Tolerates a wide range of soil types.
Aspect: Full sun
Provinces Affected: Northern Cape, Limpopo, and parts of the Eastern Cape.
Notes:
Boxing glove cholla is a major problem in South Africa due to its rapid spread and its ability to form dense thickets that displace native vegetation and harm wildlife. It is particularly problematic in arid and semi-arid regions.
Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata (Boxing Glove Cholla) and Cylindropuntia fulgida var. fulgida (Chain-Fruit Cholla) are similar, but their main difference lies in their stem morphology.
Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata: As the common name suggests, this variety has stems that often exhibit a distorted, "boxing glove" shape with swollen or enlarged segments.
Cylindropuntia fulgida var. fulgida: This variety typically has more uniformly cylindrical stems that are not as noticeably swollen or distorted as those of C. f. mamillata.
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Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Succulent
Plant family:
Cactaceae (Greek plant name) - Order: Caryophyllales