About Sclerocactus polyancistrus (Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) Britton & Rose
Sclerocactus polyancistrus is a cactus species with a cylindrical stem that can reach up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) tall and 8 centimetres (3.1 in) wide. Individual plants may grow together in clusters. This cactus is densely covered in spines: each areole produces several reddish or white central spines with hooked tips, plus several additional white spines along the edge of the areole. The species produces fragrant flowers that grow up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) wide, and blooms may appear in nearly any shade of pink or red-violet. Its fruit is scaly, fleshy, and measures 2 to 3 centimetres (0.79 to 1.18 in) long. This cactus is native to the Mojave Desert, where it occurs in eastern California and southern Nevada. It grows in rocky, often alkaline alluvial soils within Mojave desert scrub, at elevations ranging from 500–2,500 m (1,600–8,200 ft) above sea level.
