Bergerocactus emoryi
Golden-spined cereus, Golden-Spined Cereus
(c) Melanie J. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Bergerocactus emoryi (Golden-spined cereus) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by Only Bergerocactus species, unique columnar cactus in California, restricted to coastal San Diego County.
Golden-spined cereus is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native shrub found in southern coastal California, including San Diego County and southern Channel Islands, in sandy open hills at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from May to June, this cactus produces yellow flowers with red-tipped petals and green midveins, measuring 3.5 to 5 centimeters across. Growing to 2 meters tall with many branches, it forms dense thickets with a sprawling or ascending habit, completely covered in a striking golden-yellow spine array. Its stems are cylindrical and soft-fleshy, featuring 12 to 18 prominent ribs and dense spines numbering 30 to 45 per areole, with central spines up to 60 millimeters long and curved. The fruit is spherical, fleshy, and densely spiny, eventually drying and extruding black, shiny seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Bergerocactus species, unique columnar cactus in California, restricted to coastal San Diego County
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy open hills, coastal only
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Alameda
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Bergerocactus emoryi blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Cylindropuntia: Bergerocactus has continuous columnar stems; Cylindropuntia has jointed segments with papery spine sheaths.; vs Trichocereus: Bergerocactus is coastal with persistent spiny fruits; Trichocereus is inland with smooth fruits that drop.; vs Cleistocactus: Bergerocactus has golden spines and coastal habitat; Cleistocactus has dense white/colored spines, any habitat.; vs Lophocereus: Bergerocactus has uniform spine coverage; Lophocereus has bristly crown different from lower stem.; vs Opuntia: Bergerocactus has elongated cylindrical stems; Opuntia has flat paddle-shaped segments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bergerocactus emoryi native to California?
Yes. Bergerocactus emoryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Bergerocactus emoryi bloom?
Bergerocactus emoryi blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Bergerocactus emoryi grow?
Bergerocactus emoryi occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Alameda, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Bergerocactus emoryi belong to?
Bergerocactus emoryi is in the Cactaceae family, genus Bergerocactus.
Is Bergerocactus emoryi rare or endangered?
Bergerocactus emoryi carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.