Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Jumping Cholla Cactus, Opuntia bigelovii

Jumping Cholla Cactus, Opuntia bigelovii - This Sample Is Seven Feet Tall. Photo Taken April 18, 2005, Flower Buds Just Starting To Show. A Few Are Open.

Jumping Cactus, Opuntia bigelovii A Species Of Cholla Cactus Also Called Silver Cholla	Cholla Represent About 30 Species Opuntia Genus (Family Cactacea) In North American Deserts
Chollas Have Sharp Spines Actually Modified Leaves Papery Sheaths Cover Their Spines	Sometimes Called "Teddy Bear Cholla"

Jumping Cholla Cactus Opuntia bigelovii, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Jumping Cholla Cactus. Also called Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus and Silver Cholla Cactus. This is one of many cholla cacti also known as "jumping cactus" it is notorious for very loose joint attachment, then the joints attach to hapless by-passers with the slightest brush. Some specimens may have a more greenish (rather than golden) coloration Most of the fruits do not ripen. Instead they remain on the plant and then a new flower and fruit develops upon the old fruit the next year. The joints readily break off and will often root to form a new plant. The ground about mature plants are usually littered with many dead or sprouted joints. Five inches long and up to four inches in diameter. It is said to "jump" on you if you get close to it. It really does not jump but it is very easilly attached to you if you lightly brush against it. It is best stayed away from. I have lived in this area many years and each time I get near it I get stuck. The thorns swell in your wet skin and they become very difficult to remove. I always carry needle nose pliers with me when traveling near cactus. The thorns are said to resemble the fuzzy arms and legs of a Teddy Bear, thus the name Teddy Bear Cholla. It can easilly be distinguished by its dense, straw-colored spines and yellow to green flowers. Height: Up To About to 6' and it spreads out to 2/3 of its' height; slow growth. Flowers: On joint terminals; greenish - white, Some lavender in the flower, inconspicuous; bloom from February-May. Flowers 1.2" - 1.6" in diameter Blooming Time: April - June. Trunk: Upright, trunk-forming segmented cactus, usually single trunked; trunk straight and dark; attractive gold color overall. Jointed Stalks: Five inches long and about four inches in diameter. Fruit: The fruit is green wrinkled barrel-shaped, 2-4" long and 1.2" to 1.6" in diameter. Seeds are not normally found in the fruit. Leaves: Very loosely adhered joints 2-4" long with plentiful sharp spines; gold or straw colored; from a distance the spines give the illusion of a soft or fuzzy appearance. Cactus thorns are modified leaves. Their shape conserves water and adds protection to the cactus plant. Thorns: White of a golden color, forming dense clusters along the ribs. They are large and slightly hooked. Found: Lower Elevations of the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. southeastern California, and . Also Sonora, Mexico. On sandy desert, and gravel slopes in the deserts and grass lands. Elevation: 100 - 3000 Feet. Habitat: On well drained, rocky sandy desert, and gravel slopes in the desert mesas and rocky foothills. Landscape plant. Found on the Sonoran Desert of western Arizona. Miscellaneous: Bottom Flowering Photos Taken April 25, 2003 Near Lake Pleasant. Top Flowering Photo Taken April 18, 2005.