Sclerocactus johnsonii

Johnson's bee-hive cactus, Johnson's Bee-Hive Cactus

Family: Cactaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Johnson's bee-hive cactus is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern Mojave Desert of Inyo County on granitic slopes and creosote-bush scrub at elevations of 500 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to May, this cactus produces green-yellow to pink or magenta flowers with distinctive coloration. Growing with compact ovoid to cylindric stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it features 17 to 21 distinct ribs covered in yellow or pinkish-red spines. Its spines are particularly notable, with 9 to 10 radial spines per areole and 3 to 4 centimeter central spines that create a dense, protective covering. The small fruit is 7 to 15 millimeters long with widely cordate, ciliate scales.

Habitat: Granitic slopes and plains, creosote-bush scrub

Bloom period: Apr-May

Elevation: 500-1200 m

Bioregions: n DMoj (Inyo Co.)

California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Alameda

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.