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Cylindropuntia bigelovii
Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Engelm.) F.M. Knuth
Teddybear Cholla
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s): Opuntia bigelovii
USDA Symbol: CYBI9
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A miniature tree, the upper half with short, stubby branches densely covered with pale golden spines. Flowers green or yellow, the petals often streaked with lavender.
Though the branches resemble the arms and legs of a fuzzy teddy bear, this plant is far from cuddly. With its painfully clinging spines, it is one of the most formidable and respected Cacti of the Southwest.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to 3 feet high.
Flower: Flowers 1 1/2 inch long and across.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow , GreenBloom Time: Mar , Apr , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Diurnal. Pale yellow to light green to whitish, sometimes tipped red.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NVNative Distribution: Southeastern California to western Arizona; south to northwestern Mexico, Baja California.
Native Habitat: Hot, dry rocky slopes in deserts.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Conditions Comments: Minimum temperature 50F
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Bibliography
Bibref 1140 - Cacti (1991) Clive Innes and Charles GlassBibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
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Additional resources
USDA: Find Cylindropuntia bigelovii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Cylindropuntia bigelovii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cylindropuntia bigelovii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-02-20Research By: TWC Staff