Jumping Cholla
Isn’t this a pretty flower? It is a blossom on one of the most painful plant you never want to bump in to – the Jumping cholla (pronounced CHOY-yah).
I’m not sure if “Jumping” is its official name. It is definitely a good descriptive term for this member of the Prickly pear family. As an old-timer told us, “The plant doesn’t jump – you do.”
The term “jumping” comes from the plants apparent ability to throw its slender needles at a passer by. At the end of each needle is a tiny barb that attaches to the passer and can penetrate the skin. Which means if your dog can picks up some of these needles and a loving pat can transfer the Cholla’s needles to an unsuspecting human.
FYI: Whatever you do, approach the Jumping cholla with caution. If you happen to encounter a cholla two method are used to extract those painful needles. One is to use duct tape like a lint removing roller. The other is to smear a thick coat of Elmer’s white glue over the afflicted area, let dry completely, and peel of the glue with needles.
