Natural History

The Beehive Cactus has a round body and spines that grow radially (instead of sticking out). Usually you will see Beehives growing in dense clumps (rather than the one lonely specimen seen in the photo).
 

Beehive Cacti grow in rocky, sandy ground in juniper and ponderosa pine woodlands at elevations between 4700 - 7200 feet. In early summer, it produces a large pink flower, followed by an oval green fruit. The fruit of the cactus is edible, but historically has not been used by people for food, since the small size is not worth the effort to collect them.