Cholla cactus

Cholla cactus, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Cholla cactus or as we like to call it in Arizona ... Jumping
cactus ! Bad bad bad cactus ! I really hate you cactus ! Go away
cactus !
Not my most favorite plant in fact I quite despise it.

Cholla grows with cylindrical joints that can and will dislodge with
ease when brushed up against. People will swear it jumps at you
because of how fast the cactus can attache itself to you.

The spiny curved thorns impale you easily but getting them out is a
huge undertaking and leave quite a bit of swelling for several
days after you pull them out.

The cactus can grow quite large and I have several on my land that are
taller than me. Thank goodness it is on the part of my property
that I really don't visit, and leave undisturbed for the wild animals.

The flowers bloom in a rather lovely golden yellow but this magenta-
red is the most common. The blooms are similar to the
Prickly Pear cactus but these flower petals are thicker and the bloom
opens flatter.
For such a terrible cactus the blooms are so very beautiful.

prickly . . . parsnip
music . . . Mad World, Michael Andrews and Gary Jules