Teddy Bear Cholla, Choya Güera
Synonym: Opuntia bigelovii var. ciribe, Opuntia bigelovii, Opuntia ciribe
Family: Cactaceae
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Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 10-13 Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 5°F (-15°C) Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°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).
Fruiting Habits:
Check for Field Collection numbers at Ralph Martin's Site
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