Another defense is a flamethrower.....

I consider the existence of jumping cholla to be sufficient justification for owning a flamethrower.

-Badger-

...Ohhh the image that just jumped up in my head!

I second this motion!

Okay. It has been moved and seconded that all desert dwellers will carry flame throwers to protect themselves from Jumping Cholla. Now let us cast a vote. All in favor signify so by saying, "FWOOOOSH!"

Fwoosh!


I've had to dig them spines out. It is not a good thing.

(Cringes at the thought.)

These and Teddy Bear Cactus would grow together all over the place.

Going home from school, there was this short cut that would cut through a bit of wilderness that was just teeming with both of those cacti. So, it was possible to get home earlier, but... you gotta take your chances.

So would you consider a good day's passage by how may burrs were picked up?

Pretty much! Pretty much!

Egad!

So- be careful when out on night walks!

Right. Even on bright, moonlit nights I still carry a powerful flashlight.

Around here, we have a variety of cholla known as teddy bear. It's not nearly as huggable as its name would imply...

Yes. Many others have commented on the "Teddy Bear" cactus. It's not quite as cute or cuddly as the name implies.

I claim false advertisement

You know? This recent posting of photos of my trip to the Anza Borrego State Park has created so many interesting comments on various cacti, of which the Cholla and the "Teddy Bear" varieties seemed to be the most detestable of Desert Flora. One fellow even suggested Arizona residents should be permitted to carry flame throwers to help eradicate the plants, and another linked me to a video where a fellow "Body Slammed" a green version of the cactus. The only other plant I can think of that had such a reputation for being disliked was the "Wait a minute" bramble bushes in the jungles of Southeast Asia, or the wild blackberry thickets I saw growing in Northern California. Well.. There also might be something said about the wild Mesquite trees growing in the Mojave with their three inch long, needle sharp thorns.

..Here in the pacific northwest we have Nettles and Poison Oak.. and blackberrys, of course.
But I was warned about the Jumping Cholla and Teddy bear when I lived in Utah...

The mesquite tree does not have a thorn so long and sharp that the end is to fine to see. It's why Cholla is said to 'jump'.

Ah. That's the cactus' little trick, eh? Yes. One time I was helping a friend trim a Mesquite tree, and the thrns seemed threatening, but once I learned how to look for them, I didn't get stuck that often.

I have climbed mesquite once or twice in my youth. They are one of the more friendly desert plants.