Jumping Cholla Cactus

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Jumping Cholla Cactus, Superstition Mountains, Arizona.⇑

In the foreground of this photo (dark branches with clumps of needles) stands a well known resident of Arizona, the “Jumping” Cholla Cactus. This is one of many cholla cacti also known as “jumping cactus.” It is said to “jump” on you if you get close to it. It does not really jump, but easily becomes attached to you with the slightest touch. It is best to keep your distance from it. The thorns easily penetrate clothing and skin, swelling in wet skin and becoming very difficult and painful to remove. The thorns have tiny sharp barbs that anchor the needles in the skin, making removal a painful chore. It is a good idea to keep a pair of needle nose pliers or tweezers handy if you plan to hike a desert landscape full of cholla cactus! This setting was captured at the Superstition Mountain Museum on The Apache Trail (Superstition Mountain is in the background). The tiny chapel seen is the Elvis Chapel from the former Apacheland Movie Studio.

The thorns are said to resemble the fuzzy arms and legs of a Teddy Bear, thus the name Teddy Bear Cholla. It can easilly be distinguished by its dense, straw-colored spines and yellow to green flowers.