Teddy Bear Cholla, Choya Güera

Scientific Name: Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Engelm.) F.M. Knuth
Synonym: Opuntia bigelovii, Opuntia bigelovii var. ciribe , Opuntia ciribe
Family: Cactaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 10-13

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 5°F (-15°C)

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Mojave and Colorado deserts of USA (Arizona, California) and Mexico (Sonora)

Growth Habits: Shrubby cactus up to 8 feet tall (2.4 m), generally around 4 feet tall (1.2 m), well defined trunk; tuberculate segments 2 to 8 inches long (5-20 cm), 2 inches in diameter (5 cm);small yellow glochids; 6 to 10 barbed spines, 0.8 to 1.2 inches long (2-3 cm).

Watering Needs: Little to no water when established

Propagation: Cuttings, the fruits often contain no seeds.

The stems of this Cholla break loose very easily (it is also called jumping cholla). This cactus is famous for the way their spines get then stuck in the skin of the their victim. Removing the stem has to be done very carefully to avoid sticking more spines, and each spine has then to be removed one by one. By now I am sure you get the picture.
Opuntia ciribe is a form of C. bigelovii endemic to the Sierra de la Giganta, in Baja California Sur.

Blooming Habits:
Yellow flowers with reddish tinge, 1.2 to 1.6 inches in diameter (3-4 cm). Green ovoid fruit, 1.1 to 1.4 inches in diameter (2.7-3.5 cm).