Synonym: Grusonia pulchella; Opuntia pulchella; Corynopuntia pulchella.
English: Sagebrush cholla.
Region: Mojave Desert of central Nevada, eastern California, northwestern Arizona, western Utah.
Habitat: gravelly alluvial fans, above salt flats or alkali basins; often growing under other shrubs such as shadscale.
TaxonomyMicropuntia pulchella has at various times been included in Opuntia or placed in a separate genus Micropuntia.
BotanyTuberous opuntioid cactus; geophytic habit, above-ground growth has a cushion-plant habit, dies back to the crown in adverse conditions, and resprouts under more favorable conditions.
Root: tuberous root or true tuber.
Stem: variable, cylindrical to globular; areoles bear flexible yellow spines and white wool
Flowers: bright magenta.
Fruits: dehiscent.
Seeds: unique groove running along the hilar surface.