Teddy-Bear Cholla:
Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Teddy-Bear Cholla), is a cholla cactus species native to northwestern Mexico and the United States, specifically California, Arizona, and Nevada. It is a plant common to the Sonoran Desert, growing in exposed areas with full sun. It most resembles the Silver Cholla which has a similar growing range; the main difference, the spines of the teddy bear cholla are of equal length (between 0.5 and 1 inch); whereas the other species have needles of varying lengths. The short (less than 5 inch), stout, cylindrical stems of teddy bear cholla are entirely covered by thick, gold-colored spines that obscure the green skin and give a fuzzy appearance. They become dark brown or even black with age. Both spines and stem segments are easily detached, adhering to anything that moves, and can be difficult to remove owing to tiny reverse barbs. This characteristic is the primary method by which the plant propagates when fallen branches take root. Mature cacti are around 5 feet tall, usually surrounded by a ring of discarded spines, pads and flowers.
