Cholla Cactus (Genus Opuntia) cholla cactus represent more than 20 species of the opuntia genus (Family Cactacea) in the North American deserts. Cholla is a term applied to various shrubby cacti of this genus with cylindrical stems composed of segmented joints. These stems are actually modified branches that serve several functions -- water storage, photosynthesis and flower production. q Cholla Wood is the inner skeleton of a specific type of cacti plant. Once it has died and dried out, we then set it with an epoxy dyed with different colors. This.is the first material we are creating in house. lt provides a truly unique and one of a kind handle material for pocket knives. Something you can only find at Santa Fe Stoneworks. This knife has Cholla Cactus on both sides.