Basic Information
Common Name: Snake Cholla
Scientific Name: Cylindropuntia californica var. californica
Species Code: CYLCAL
Management Category: VF (species with limited distribution in the MSPA or needing specific vegetation characteristics requiring management)
Occurrence Map
Table of Occurrences

Goals and Objectives

Goal: Maintain, enhance and restore coastal sage scrub on Conserved Lands in the MSPA that supports or has the potential to support VF species (i.e., cliff spurge, Palmer's goldenbush, San Diego barrel cactus, snake cholla, Blaineville's horned lizard, California gnatcatcher, San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit) and to incidentally benefit a diverse array of other species (e.g., San Diego thornmint, willowy monardella, Hermes copper, Quino checkerspot, coastal cactus wren) so that the vegetation community has high ecological integrity, and these species are resilient to environmental stochasticity, catastrophic disturbances and threats, such as very large wildfires, invasive plants and prolonged drought, and will be likely to persist over the long term (>100 years).

regional and/or local NFO 2021 VF
MON-IMP-IMG CYLCAL-1

Management units: 1, 2, 3

In 2021, inspect occurrences of coastal sage scrub MSP VF plant species (cliff spurge, Palmer's goldenbush, San Diego barrel cactus, and snake cholla) on Conserved Lands using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threat covariate data to determine management needs.

Action Statement Action status Projects
IMP-1 Based upon occurrence status and threats, determine management needs including whether routine management or more intensive management is warranted. on hold
IMP-2 Submit project metadata, monitoring datasets and management recommendations to the MSP Web Portal. on hold
Criteria Deadline year
Surveys Completed 2021 with Management Recommendations 2021
Threat Name Threat Code
Altered fire regimeALTFIR
Human uses of the PreservesHUMUSE
Invasive plantsINVPLA
Urban developmentURBDEV
Code Obj. code Statement
ERIPAL-1 MON-IMP-IMG In 2021, inspect occurrences of coastal sage scrub MSP VF plant species (cliff spurge, Palmer's goldenbush, San Diego barrel cactus and snake cholla) on Conserved Lands using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threat covariate data to determine management needs.
EUPMIS-1 MON-IMP-IMG In 2021, inspect occurrences of coastal sage scrub MSP VF plant species (cliff spurge, Palmer's goldenbush, San Diego barrel cactus and snake cholla) on Conserved Lands using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threat covariate data to determine management needs.
EUPMIS-1 MON-IMP-IMG In 2021, inspect occurrences of coastal sage scrub MSP VF plant species (cliff spurge, Palmer's goldenbush, San Diego barrel cactus and snake cholla) on Conserved Lands using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threat covariate data to determine management needs.
EUPMIS-1 MON-IMP-IMG In 2021, inspect occurrences of coastal sage scrub MSP VF plant species (cliff spurge, Palmer's goldenbush, San Diego barrel cactus and snake cholla) on Conserved Lands using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threat covariate data to determine management needs.
FERVIR-1 MON-IMP-IMG In 2021, inspect occurrences of coastal sage scrub MSP VF plant species (cliff spurge, Palmer's goldenbush, San Diego barrel cactus and snake cholla) on Conserved Lands using the regional IMG monitoring protocol to record abundance and collect habitat and threat covariate data to determine management needs.
File name Lead Author Year Type
Cactus Wren habitat restoration on San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Martin, John 2019 powerpoint presentation
DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT for the OTAY RANCH PRESERVE 2009 report

Current Distribution Rangewide

From the south coast of California into Baja California, Mexico [1].

Known Populations in San Diego County

Three occurrences on Conserved Lands in MUs 2 (Florida Canyon) and 3 (East Otay Mesa).

List Status

None [2].

Habitat Affinities

Coastal sage scrub and chaparral, oak scrub, juniper woodlands, and grassy rolling hills [3]. Usually found in sandy soils. Elevation range 30-150 meters [1].

Taxonomy and Genetics

Cactaceae family [3]. Synonyms include Opuntia californica var. californica and Opuntia parryi var. serpentina [2].

Life History Demography

Perennial stem succulent [2].

Seasonal Phenology

Bloom period April-May [2].

Pollination Seed Dispersal

No information.

Threats

Threatened by development and off road vehicles [2].

Literature Sources

[1] Baker, M., B. D. Parfitt, and J. Rebman 2016. Cylindropuntia californica var. californica, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=80401, accessed on September 02, 2016.

[2] CNPS, Rare Plant Program. 2016. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. http://www.rareplants.cnps.org, accessed 02 September 2016.

[3] Pinkava, D.J., and R., Puente. 2013. Cylindropuntia californica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T151936A578279. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T151936A578279.en. Downloaded on 02 September 2016.