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teddybear cholla

Scientific Name: Cylindropuntia bigelovii

Family: Cactaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Shrub, Subshrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii)

The teddy bear cholla, scientifically known as Cylindropuntia bigelovii, is a captivating yet formidable cactus native to the arid landscapes of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is densely spined, and the spines are equipped with minute, backward-directed barbs that can stick instantly and hold tightly.

Considerations for Children

  • The teddy bear cholla appears furry and cuddly but is covered in dense spines.
  • The spines have minute, backward-directed barbs that adhere tightly to the skin.

Quirky Facts

  • Despite its appealing name and fuzzy appearance, the teddy bear cholla is far from cuddly.
  • It is also known as the "jumping cholla" due to the ease with which stem segments detach and cling to passersby.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Engelm.) F.M. Knuth
  • Common Names: Teddy bear cholla, Jumping cholla
  • Family: Cactaceae
  • Synonyms: Opuntia bigelovii var. ciribe, Opuntia bigelovii, Opuntia bigelovii var. bigelovii

Distribution and Habitat

  • The teddy bear cholla is native to southeastern California, Arizona, and Nevada in the USA, as well as Northwestern Mexico.
  • It thrives in rocky soil and can be found at elevations ranging from 100 to 3,000 feet in central and southern Arizona.
  • Frequently found in the Sonoran Desert.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is an upright cactus with a stout trunk and many short, cylindrical branches that are densely covered in spines.
  • Leaves are modified into spines.
  • The plant has a furry or fuzzy appearance due to its dense spines.

Traditional Uses

  • Young branches (pads) were cooked and eaten by Native Americans in Southern California.