Teddy Bear cholla are covered with so many fuzzy spines they look soft. I can attest from personal experience that they are not. These cholla have upturned arms that grow with loose joints and densely crossed spines, so any unsuspecting animal or tourist can easily snag and detach an arm. These detached arms take root and are the primary way the plant reproduces.
They can grow to six feet tall but are usually found to be much smaller, clinging to steep rocky slopes. The old arms at the base of the plant turn quite dark while the newer arms take on a striking slivery-gold shine in bright sun.
Native Americans cooked and ate the flower buds and the new arms were eaten after burning off the spines.
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