Plant Highlights

The golden cereus (Bergerocactus emoryi) is a species of cactus. It is the sole member of the genus Bergerocactus, named after Alwin Berger. The plant is also known as golden spine cereus or velvet cactus. This species is prolific along the coast of Baja California and does occur in a small population in extreme Southern California and adjacent islands. This species forms clumps of slender stems just over 2 feet (60cm) in height. It is covered in golden-yellow spines that glow in the sunlight and almost completely cover the stem underneath and vary in length up to two inches. Flowers are a waxy yellow on stout, spiny floral tubes which later form rounded, dry fruits. This cactus is frail, appears in clusters, and has up to 20 ribs.