Nelson Ghost Town
Jumping Chollas - (Cylindropuntia fulgida)
In reality, jumping cholla do not jump. The common names comes from the fact that the individual stem segments of the plant are only weakly attached. The slightest touch will detach them. This gives unfortunate hikers the idea that the plant has physically jumped out and attacked. Needless to say, cholla are a spiny lot and each spine is covered in backward pointing barbs, which make removing them a painful experience. As a result, they not only fall off the plant readily, they grab on for a ride.
Nelson Ghost Town
Jumping Chollas - (Cylindropuntia fulgida)
In reality, jumping cholla do not jump. The common names comes from the fact that the individual stem segments of the plant are only weakly attached. The slightest touch will detach them. This gives unfortunate hikers the idea that the plant has physically jumped out and attacked. Needless to say, cholla are a spiny lot and each spine is covered in backward pointing barbs, which make removing them a painful experience. As a result, they not only fall off the plant readily, they grab on for a ride.