Meet the Opuntia family

Jumping cactus, Stag horn, Teddy Bear, Chain Fruit, Walking Stick, or Cain are common names given to the Opuntia family of Cholla cactus found in abundance across Southern Arizona.  They are characterized by the overlapping sections of growth and have a woody inner skeleton, which, when dried makes an interesting material for various forms of arts or household use.  The hollow structure is laced to varying degrees with lenticular holes, thus providing a strong but light support for plant growth.

This photo shows a cane cholla growing on a rocky Arizona hillside.  They grow from a shrub size to tree like at 8 feet tall.  Their flowers are variable in color, white or yellowish or red or purple and occur during May and June.  Sections of the dried canes are cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch segments to attach to the surface of the vessel.  The holes in the cane make an interesting pattern, somewhat like a flower.  See what I'm describing in the photo below.

Technical Vessel Information

Size:          51" high, 31" at the largest diameter

Weight:     110 lb..

Materials:  Cross sectional slices of Cholla wood laminated over

                  fiberglass shell

Finish:       Danish oil with white filler rubbed into wood, all surfaces finished with paste wax.

More detail can be found on my art at my website <www.apatchablue.com>