Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
teddybear cholla
Family Name:
Cactaceae
Botanical Name:
Cylndropuntia bigelovii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The teddy bear cholla is an erect succulent shrub that grows to be around 1.5 m (5 ft) tall (1, 2). It has multiple green branches that are cylindrical in shape and are covered with raised bumps called areoles that have emerging golden spines (3). As the branches emerge from the stems branch out, they have a habit of being horizontal at the top (1). Each areole produces 6-8 spines that are each less than 2 cm (1 in) long, as well as multiple glochids (tiny sharp bristles) (3, 5). Spines have microscopic barbs that point towards the base of spines (4). As this plant matures, its stems get completely covered with these sharp spines, which ironically gives it an overall soft appearance from a distance (1, 3). Its stems are easily detachable and can range from 4-18 cm (1.5 - 7 in) long (3). Its bright greenish-yellow flowers appear on the tip of its stems from May to June (1). The corolla of the flower has a cup-like shape and is comprised of bright green waxy petals. Petals have a darker green tinge towards the base, and surround the green stamens with yellow-topped anthers (5). Flowers are usually less than 3.6 cm (2 in) across () (1, 5). Its yellowish green fruits are small stumpy berries covered in tubercules (small nodules or wart-like bumps) and are about less than 2 cm (1 in) long (1, 5).
Compound:
Cyl big
Geographic Origin:
Northwest Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Desert and Xeric Shrublands
Natural History:
This plant is endemic to regions within northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States under arid conditions (2). In Mexico, it is distributed throughout Sonora and into Baja California (2). It is also distributed throughout California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada (2). Naturally, it can be found in elevations ranging from 30-900 m (100-2,952 ft), usually occurring in rocky flats or slopes, alluvial fans, sand dunes along coasts, and desert scrubs (2,3,6,7). Although the fruits in this plant barely provide fertile seeds it is readily spread by vegetative reproduction thanks to its detachable stem segments (5). Its stems can easily be caught in animals’ fur or by nearby hikers due to its barbed spines (3). Stem dispersal can also occur from its littered stems around this plant that roots into the surrounding soil (5). Because of their enhanced propagative abilities, forests or several groups of the teddy bear cholla could possibly be clones that originate from a single parent (5). The teddy bear cholla also provides a protective habitat with its spines for cactus wrens (a species of bird known scientifically as Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) to nest on its branches (6). In times of food scarcity in dry climates, its fruits can be eaten by nearby animals and can also be a source of water for desert woodrats (6). The genus Cylindropuntia is a combination of two words: Cylindro, being Greek for “round” and opuntia being an old Latin name used by a roman author referring to the “city of Opus”, where spiny plants had apparently grown (6). Its specific epithet, bigelovii is derived from the name of American physician and botanist, John M. Bigelow, who lived from 1804-1878 (6).
Cultivation Notes:
The teddy bear cholla is cold hardy to USDA zones 9a-11b and sunset zones 10-13 (9). Sandy, well drained soils that prevent waterlogging to prevent root rot is best suited for this plant (2,8). It also prefers to be planted in a sunny position and is very drought tolerant (2,8). It can be propagated by seed or through stem cuttings (2). Its seeds may first be planted during early spring in a well-drained compost inside a greenhouse (2). Afterwards, seedlings can then be separated into pots to continue to be grown in a greenhouse for at least two winters (2). They can then be planted permanently in spring or early summer (2). Minimal watering is preferred; in fact, overwatering poses one of the biggest threats when growing this plant (2,8). As it’s planted, stems are very quick to establish and root into the soil (2).
Ethnobotany:
Despite this plant being infamous for its painful detachable stems, it is commonly cultivated as an ornamental for its unique physical attributes (2). This plant has also been used traditionally by native American tribes as a source of food, as well as for its medicinal properties (6,7,8). The Cahuilla tribe, a native American tribe within the Sonoran Desert in Southern California, would harvest this plant to eat its buds, fruits, and stems (6,7). They would prepare it by plucking its buds, young stems, and branches to be then cooked and left out to dry leaving a bountiful supply that could be stored for later consumption (7). The spines from its stems were also used as needles for sewing (7). Another native American tribe, the Tohono O’odham would use this plant medicinally asa treatment for wounds due to its healing properties (8).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Green
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
1. Jungle Dragon, Retrieved February 28, 2025 5. LLifle: Encyclopedias of living forms. Retrieved March 3, 2025
