Description

This little cactus is found growing on rocky hillsides in coastal sage scrub in San Diego County. Here it is joined by the coast barrel cactus, Ferocactus viridescens, and the golden cereus, Bergerocactus emoryi. Its range in California makes an unusual leap over the peninsular ranges to continue in the western Sonoran Desert of San Diego and Riverside Counties. In this desert plant community one may also discover desert barrel cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Engelmann’s hedgehog cactus, Echinocereus engelmannii, and several types of cholla, Cylindropuntia spp., and prickly-pears, Opuntia spp. The range continues into Baja, Mexico, where the genus becomes quite diverse. Fish hook cactus generally grows as a little sphere, individually as a small cluster. The plant is thickly covered with conical tubercles topped with a tuft of little spines. The center spine is long with a hooked tip, which explains the common name. The flowers of late winter or early spring ring the top of the cactus like a cheerful crown. The edible fruit is red and oblong, like a tiny chili pepper. Grow this little cactus in a pot with well draining soil. Protect from winter rain since cactus may rot if kept too wet during winter dormancy.