Twentynine Palms in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Pencil Cholla-Opuntia ramosissima

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 12, 2025

1. Pencil Cholla-Opuntia ramosissima Marker

Inscription.
Young pencil cholla joints are edible after being boiled. The fruits of this cactus are light brown when ripe and taste a bit like sour apples. The buds are also edible. They can be boiled or fried. The taste is similar to asparagus or artichokes. They are high in Vitamin A, calcium and other materials. The stems were boiled into a soup or dried for future use.

Compounds in pencil cholla were a useful antidiarrheal medicine and a treatment for venereal diseases. Tea made from the pith is combined with other herbs and used in the mouth for toothache.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Science & Medicine.

Location. 34° 5.821′ N, 116° 10.075′ W. Marker is in Twentynine Palms, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on Indian Cove Nature Trail west of Indian Cove Road West, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 68462 Indian Cove Nature, Twentynine Palms CA 92277, United States

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of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Coachella Valley,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cottontails and Jackrabbits (within shouting distance of this marker); Desert Bighorn Sheep (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hardships and Forced Transitions (about 800 feet away); Lizards for Lunch! (about 800 feet away); Welcome to the Indian Cove Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Desert Willow (approx. 0.2 miles away); Desert Almond - Prunus fasciculata (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jojoba - Simmondsia chinensis (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Twentynine Palms.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 12, 2025

2. Pencil Cholla-Opuntia ramosissima Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 48 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 28, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.