Scientific name:
Bergerocactus emoryi
Common name:
Golden cereus, golden snake cactus
Range:
Far southwest California, along the coast; around San Diego
Form:
Groups of vertical stems, up to 3 feet high
Habitat:
Grassy or partly wooded slopes along the Pacific coast
Flowers:
Yellow, up to 1.5 inches across, appearing from the stem a little way below the tip
Distribution map for bergerocactus emoryi
Like carnegia (saguaro), bergerocactus is a monotypic columnar cactus genus, and the sole species grows mostly in Baja California, but its range extends northwards to the coast and hills around San Diego; one favored location is Cabrillo National Monument and the Point Loma peninsula. It grows on sandy soils, on bluffs and scrubland.
This rare cactus forms colonies of many thin stems, up to 3 feet tall and 2 inches across, usually upright, sometimes leaning or decumbent. Stems have a dense covering of golden spines (30 to 45 per areole), of which the central spines (one, two or three) are much longer than the others, up to 2 inches. Spines towards the base become dark brown with age. The plants branch only if the growing tip becomes damaged.
Golden cereus blooms between April and June, towards the top of the stems; flowers are yellow, with reddish tips.
This rare cactus forms colonies of many thin stems, up to 3 feet tall and 2 inches across, usually upright, sometimes leaning or decumbent. Stems have a dense covering of golden spines (30 to 45 per areole), of which the central spines (one, two or three) are much longer than the others, up to 2 inches. Spines towards the base become dark brown with age. The plants branch only if the growing tip becomes damaged.
Golden cereus blooms between April and June, towards the top of the stems; flowers are yellow, with reddish tips.
All Contents © Copyright The American Southwest | Comments and Questions | Contribute | Affiliate Marketing Disclosure | Site Map