About Sclerocactus johnsonii subsp. johnsonii
Sclerocactus johnsonii, which has synonyms including Echinomastus johnsonii, is a cactus species with the common names Johnson's beehive cactus and Johnson's fishhook cactus. It is native to the southwestern United States, ranging from eastern California to Utah, and to northwestern Mexico, where it grows in desert scrub habitat. This cactus forms an egg-shaped or cylindrical stem that grows up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) tall and 10 centimeters (4 inches) wide. The stem is densely covered in straight and curving spines, with up to 24 spines per areole. Spines can reach up to 4 centimeters (1+1⁄2 inches) in length, and come in shades of yellow, gray, lavender, pink, and red. The cactus produces flowers that are either yellow or pink, and the species is sometimes split into two varieties based on this flower color difference. Flowers grow up to 8 centimeters (3+1⁄6 inches) wide. Its scaly, fleshy fruit reaches a maximum length of 1.8 centimeters (3⁄4 inch).
