Written by Michael Bryan
Modified & Updated: 23 Sep 2024
Reviewed by Sherman Smith
The jumping cholla is a beautiful, big cactus found in the Sonoran Desert. Now, despite its magnificent beauty, people will be surprised about the fact that this plant has a nasty side. Its barbed cactus spines would attach to people and animals coming too close resulting in a common painful reaction. Known to flourish in the very harsh environment of the desert, this plant has developed a wonderful adaptation to protect itself from hungry plant-eaters. The jumping cholla can symbolize the strive for survival and staying strong even when facing hard challenges in life. Listed below are our informative and entertaining facts about this awesome plant that will surely be worth your time.
- 01Cylindropuntia fulgida is a cholla cactus native to Sonora and the Southwestern United States.
- 02In the Southwestern United States, the range extends into the Colorado Desert of California, and in Arizona.
- 03Cylindropuntia fulgida grows at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,000 m.
- 04The jumping cholla is an arborescent tree-like plant with one low-branching trunk.
- 05It often grows to heights of 4 m (13 ft), with drooping branches of chained fruit.
- 01They have 6 to 12 spines that grow from each areole.
- 02They have a 2-3 cm silvery-yellow spike that covers their branch. The spikes would darken to a gray color with age.
- 03The jumping cholla blooms from February to March.
- 04Their flowers are yellow-greenish in color and would appear at the end of the branches.
- 05Its spine becomes rough and scaly with age.
- 06The fruit of these plants are fleshy, pear-shaped to nearly round, wrinkled with a few spines. They are usually sterile.
- 07Its name is pronounced as the Jumping “Choy-a”.
- 08The name, jumping cholla comes from the ease with which the stems detach when brushed.
- 09The jumping cholla is very sensitive to touch. A person can get bits of cactus hanging on their clothes without even knowing it.
- 10Usually, the ground of a mature plant will be covered with its dead stems. Young plants would start to grow from stems that have fallen from the adult plant.
- 01Jumping chollas live for decades in the wild.
- 02The fruit of a jumping cholla represents an important source of food and water for deers and bighorn sheep during long periods of drought.
- 03Jumping chollas usually produce sterile fruit. The plant often propagates via parts of the stem.
- 04People would use its wood for making handicrafts.
- 05They have a dense spiny coat that acts like a shield that prevents overheating and hungry herbivores at a safe distance.
Was this page helpful?
Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.