Echinomastus johnsonii
Encyclopedia
Echinomastus johnsonii is a species of cactus
known by the common names Johnson's beehive cactus and Johnson's fishhook cactus. It is native to the southwestern United States from eastern California
to Utah
, where it can be found in desert scrub
habitat. It produces an egg-shaped or cylindrical stem up to 25 centimeters tall by 10 wide. It is covered densely in straight and curving spines
which may be up to 4 centimeters long and come in shades of yellow, gray, lavender, and pink or red, with up to 24 per areole
. The cactus may have yellow or pink flowers; the species is sometimes divided into two varieties on the basis of flower color. Flowers are up to 8 centimeters wide. The scaly, fleshy fruit is up to 1.8 centimeters long.
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...
known by the common names Johnson's beehive cactus and Johnson's fishhook cactus. It is native to the southwestern United States from eastern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, where it can be found in desert scrub
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Deserts and xeric shrublands is a biome characterized by, relating to, or requiring only a small amount of moisture.-Definition and occurrence:...
habitat. It produces an egg-shaped or cylindrical stem up to 25 centimeters tall by 10 wide. It is covered densely in straight and curving spines
Thorns, spines, and prickles
In botanical morphology, thorns, spines, and prickles are hard structures with sharp, or at least pointed, ends. In spite of this common feature, they differ in their growth and development on the plant; they are modified versions of different plant organs, stems, stipules, leaf veins, or hairs...
which may be up to 4 centimeters long and come in shades of yellow, gray, lavender, and pink or red, with up to 24 per areole
Areole
Areoles are an important diagnostic feature of cacti, and identify them as a family distinct from other succulent plants. The areoles on cacti are clearly visible; they generally appear as small light- to dark-colored bumps, out of which grow clusters of spines...
. The cactus may have yellow or pink flowers; the species is sometimes divided into two varieties on the basis of flower color. Flowers are up to 8 centimeters wide. The scaly, fleshy fruit is up to 1.8 centimeters long.