Teddy Bear Cholla
Opuntia bigelovii

This treelike cactus may grow to 5' in height. The greenish yellow flowers appear between February and May, and are followed by yellowish, egg-shaped fruits. Place your cursor on the photograph of the cactus to see a closeup of the flower. The seeds are rarely fertile, so the plant spreads asexually. The spines are barbed, so the loosely attached joints detach very easily. When an animal (or a hiker) brushes against the plant, they may carry a section for miles before it falls off.

If a section does become attached to you, use sticks or a wide-toothed comb to remove it. If it is deeply imbedded, use scissors to remove the main piece, and go after the remaining spines with pliers. Soaking the area in hot water may help in removal of the spines. Because of the danger of infection, it is a good idea to seek medical attention.

Despite the hazards, many desert animals use the teddy bear cholla to protect their homes. Cactus wrens and curved-bill thrashers build their nests in the branches; pack rats carry loose sections back to their nests.

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