General Description | A large shrub or small tree that generally hovers above the lower plant life surrounding it. It will form vast forests in certain areas producing a beautiful view. |
Cultivation | Sandy or gravelly soils. |
Habitat | Mountain slopes, flats, washes in the desert and flats at an altitude of 600-1,300 m. Commonly found in the Mojavean Desert. |
Leaf Description | Thin, long leaves, 12 x 1.5 mm. Spines are a tan to pale yellow colour which turn brown then black as they mature, straight, long and spread in all directions. |
Flower Description | 4-5.5 cm in diameter, a greenish yellow in colour with purplish veins and purplish tips, filaments, 9-12 mm in length and red in colour with yellow anthers. |
Fruit Description | Falls in late summer or autumn. Seeds are a light tan or off white colour, flat with an irregular angle; 5-8 x 3-5 mm. |