The jumping cholla (chain fruit cholla, teddy bear cactus) is a cactus that is tree-like.
Scientific name: Cylindropuntia fulgida
Distribution: Sonora Desert, southwest United States and Mexico
Features:
(1) long chains of spineless fruit hanging from the trunk with barbed spines nearby
(2) if a person or animal gets too close to the plant then the spines can become attached
(3) sometimes the fruit seems to jump at a person who gets too close
The spines serve as a dispersal mechanism for the fruit. If there is water where it lands then it can quickly take root and grow.
Spines embedded in skin can be extremely painful.
The spines can be removed with a comb, tweezers or pliers.
