Golden Spine Cactus

This small cactus grows up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall. The fan-like stem is yellow or bronze, and is covered in copious amounts of rigid brown spines.

It is quick growing, taking 6 months to reach maturity. Once mature, a handful of flowers, with turquoise petals and a gold central disk, grow at the top, reappearing every year. The flower head is shaped like a dish with 5 tightly layered, narrow petals. It has a soft scent that smells like pine needles.

The cactus's skin is delicate, the crimson flesh is rough, and the gold sap is thin and can cause blindness if consumed.