CACTACEAE

CACTUS FAMILY

Edward F. Anderson (except Opuntia)

Perennial, shrub, tree, generally fleshy
Stem cylindric, spheric, or flat; surface smooth, tubercled, or ribbed (fluted); nodal areoles bear flowers, generally bear spines from center ("central spines") and margin ("radial spines") (Opuntia areoles bear small, barbed, deciduous bristles sometimes called glochids, generally also bear spines)
Leaf generally 0
Flower generally solitary, bisexual, sessile, ± radial; perianth parts generally many, grading from scale-like to petal-like; stamens many; ovary appearing inferior, ± submerged in stem, so generally with areoles on surface, style 1, stigma lobes generally many
Fruit generally fleshy, generally indehiscent, spiny, scaly, or smooth
Seeds many
Genera in family: 93 genera, ± 2000 species: especially Am deserts; many cultivated
Etymology: (Greek: thorny plant)
Reference: [Benson 1982 Cacti of US & Can; Hunt & Taylor eds 1990 Bradleya 8:85–107]

BERGEROCACTUS

GOLDEN CEREUS

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (A. Berger, German succulent specialist, 1871–1931)

Native

B. emoryi (Engelm.) Britton & Rose

GOLDEN-SPINED CEREUS

Plants ± spreading
Stems many, generally ascending, densely clumped, each < 3 m, 3–6 cm diam, cylindric, ± obscured by dense spines; ribs generally 12–16, prominent; tubercles indistinct; spines 20–30, yellow, becoming darker; central spines 1–3, the longest curved down; radial spines straight
Flower 2.5–4 cm diam; outer perianth parts yellow with green midveins, inner yellow
Fruit at first fleshy, becoming dry, spiny, 2.5–3 cm diam, spheric, dehiscing at tip
Seed 3 mm, ± flat-obovoid, shiny black
Chromosomes: 2n=44
Ecology: Sandy soils, dry hills along coast
Elevation: < 100 m.
Bioregional distribution: South Coast (San Diego Co.), s Channel Islands
Distribution outside California: Baja California
Synonyms: Cereus e. Engelm
Threatened by development, collecting, feral goats
Horticultural information: In cultivation.