Teddy Bear Cholla 🧸

The Teddy Bear Cholla, native to the Coachella Valley and surrounding desert regions, is a striking cactus known for its dense, golden spines that appear soft and fuzzy from a distance. This visual illusion earned it the "teddy bear" nickname, but don’t be fooled—the spines are incredibly sharp and barbed, designed to attach easily to animals or passersby for seed dispersal.

Growing up to 5 feet tall, this cactus thrives in the valley's arid, sandy soils, where its unique silhouette often stands out against the dramatic desert landscape. The Teddy Bear Cholla produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in late spring, followed by fruit that helps support local wildlife. A hallmark of Coachella Valley's natural beauty, this cactus is an ecological keystone and a photogenic icon of the desert southwest.