cholla

noun

chol·​la ˈchȯi-yə 

: any of numerous shrubby opuntias chiefly of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that have needlelike spines partly enclosed in a papery sheath and cylindrical joints

called also cholla cactus

Illustration of cholla

Did you know?

A shrubby cactus chiefly of the southwestern United States and Mexico, a cholla has cylindrical joints and needlelike spines partly enclosed in a papery sheath. Chollas vary greatly in size and have small flowers that are sometimes yellow-green and inconspicuous, but usually of more striking colors. One cholla, 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 decorative novelties. Some cholla fruit is edible.

Examples of cholla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The park is also home to a few different species of cacti—cholla, paperspine, prickly pear, and hedgehog. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026

The trail continues east for about half a mile, surrounded by cholla and desert shrubs, before turning north. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

The area is rugged in places, with rocky slopes, narrow canyons and desert vegetation like creosote, palo verde, mesquite, cholla cactus and bunch grasses. —Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026

In the park, there is a wide range of hikes to suit any interest or ability—from a casual stroll around a cholla cactus garden to a more challenging 3-mile, 1,050-feet-elevation-gain hike to the peak of Ryan Mountain with panoramic views. —Kristine Thomason, Outside, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from Spanish, head

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cholla

• allah
• bala
• cala
• mala
• sala
• scala
• amygdala
• areola
• cabala
• corolla
• impala
• kabbalah