Sclerocactus johnsonii
Johnson's bee-hive cactus, Johnson's Bee-Hive Cactus
(c) Zach Earl, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Sclerocactus johnsonii (Johnson's bee-hive cactus) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by stem size, rib count, spine length, and fruit size.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by stem size, rib count, spine length, and fruit size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granitic slopes and plains, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: 500-1200 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Alameda
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, northwestern Arizona
Bloom period
Sclerocactus johnsonii blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Echinocereus: Sclerocactus flowers at tip and has hard single stem; Echinocereus flowers from sides and forms soft clusters.; vs Ferocactus: Sclerocactus is under 6 inches with spineless flower base; Ferocactus grows larger with scaly flower base.; vs Echinocactus: Sclerocactus has hard stem and spineless flower base; Echinocactus has softer stem and spiny woolly top.; vs Carnegiea: Sclerocactus is small barrel under 6 inches; Carnegiea is tree-sized columnar over 10 feet.; vs Bergerocactus: Sclerocactus is barrel-shaped wider than tall; Bergerocactus is columnar 8+ times taller than wide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sclerocactus johnsonii native to California?
Yes. Sclerocactus johnsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sclerocactus johnsonii bloom?
Sclerocactus johnsonii blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Sclerocactus johnsonii grow?
Sclerocactus johnsonii occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Alameda, at elevations of 500-1200 m.
What plant family does Sclerocactus johnsonii belong to?
Sclerocactus johnsonii is in the Cactaceae family, genus Sclerocactus.
Is Sclerocactus johnsonii rare or endangered?
Sclerocactus johnsonii 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.