

Ferocactus
Botanical name: Ferocactus
Ferocactus
Botanical name: Ferocactus


Description

Ferocactus are large-sized, barrel-shaped cacti. They have large spines, prominent ribs, and fragrant flowers. As drought-loving plants, they are native to the deserts of North America and Latin America. They are named 'Ferocactus' after their spines, as this term derives from the Greek words for "fierce spines."


Species of Ferocactus


Fire barrel cactus
Native to Mexico, the fire barrel cactus can be found in rocky habitats and gravelly plains. While young, it resembles a barrel in shape, but as it ages it becomes more cylindrical. Some specimens can become exceptionally tall, reaching a height of around 3 meters. This species is known to thrive in a symbiotic relationship with ants.

Candy barrel cactus
Candy barrel cactus is a large, spiny cactus that is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is named for its barrel-like shape and its formidable spines, which can grow up to several inches long. It has a long lifespan - some individuals have been known to live for over a hundred years! This cactus is adapted to survive in hot, arid environments and is able to store water in its thick stem. This ability to store water makes candy barrel cactus a popular choice for xeriscaping and other water-efficient landscaping projects.

California barrel cactus
California barrel cactus, or Ferocactus cylindraceus, gets its name from its barrel shape. Also, ferocactus means fierce or wild cactus. This is probably the largest type of cactus that grows in American deserts. This cactus has fierce spines, flowers that grow out of the top, and hollow yellow fruits that generally are not regarded as edible.

San diego barrelcactus
San diego barrelcactus is a rare species of barrel cactus. This North American plant is almost exclusively found in San Diego county in California, where its natural habitat has been threatened by development. It is not cold hardy although it can be grown outdoors in the warm summer months.

Fishhook barrel cactus
Fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni) is a succulent that will grow from 91 to 183 cm tall. A very rare cactus, it has spines that resemble fish hooks. Prefers full sun in sandy, well-drained soil. Can be grown outdoors but cannot withstand cold temperatures. It blooms in summer with yellow to red-orange flowers that grow on top of the cactus.

Devil's tongue barrel
Devil's tongue barrel is a desert cactus found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Its name comes from its spiny, barrel-shaped body and the devilish appearance it gives. Native tribes have used its fruits as a source of water and food, while modern gardeners appreciate its ornamental value. It blooms in the spring and summer, attracting pollinators, and is drought-tolerant. Watch out for its sharp spines and avoid touching them, as they can cause skin irritation.

Glaucous barrel cactus
Glaucous barrel cactus are large-sized, barrel-shaped cacti. They have large spines, prominent ribs, and fragrant flowers. As drought-loving plants, they are native to the deserts of North America and Latin America. They are named 'Ferocactus' after their spines, as this term derives from the Greek words for "fierce spines."

Emory's barrel cactus
Emory's barrel cactus lives in a symbiotic relationship with ants; the ants feed on the cactus' nectar and protect the plant from other insects in return. In the past, the Seris Indians used some parts of this cactus as medicine and food. Today, emory's barrel cactus is cultivated for its ornamental purposes; it can be propagated only by seeds.

Turk's head
Another name for turk's head (Ferocactus hamatacanthus) is the Mexican fruit cactus. You’ll mostly find this prickly species in the Chihuahuan Desert, next to the Rio Grande, and located in northern Mexico and the southwestern U.S. You can eat the fleshy fruits produced by the plant.

Townsend barrel cactus
Townsend barrel cactus (Ferocactus peninsulae) is native to the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Townsend barrel cactus grows in sandy or rocky soil and on hillsides in the wild. Due to illegal collection, this species is declining in the wild. Townsend barrel cactus is also eaten by cattle and its natural habitat is sensitive to urbanization.

Santa catalina barrel cactus
Santa catalina barrel cactus are large-sized, barrel-shaped cacti. They have large spines, prominent ribs, and fragrant flowers. As drought-loving plants, they are native to the deserts of North America and Latin America. They are named 'Ferocactus' after their spines, as this term derives from the Greek words for "fierce spines."

Townsend's barrel cactus
Townsend's barrel cactus are large-sized, barrel-shaped cacti. They have large spines, prominent ribs, and fragrant flowers. As drought-loving plants, they are native to the deserts of North America and Latin America. They are named 'Ferocactus' after their spines, as this term derives from the Greek words for "fierce spines."

Biznaga de dulce
Biznaga de dulce has a memorable spherical shape, often being wider than it is high. Its 12 “ribs”, covered in bright red thorns that look like long, skinny, pointed tongues, are what make it easy to differentiate from other cacti. It produces beautiful funnel-shaped purple and yellow flowers in winter.

Sonora barrel cactus
Sonora barrel cactus are large-sized, barrel-shaped cacti. They have large spines, prominent ribs, and fragrant flowers. As drought-loving plants, they are native to the deserts of North America and Latin America. They are named 'Ferocactus' after their spines, as this term derives from the Greek words for "fierce spines."

Fishhook barrel cactus
Fishhook barrel cactus are large-sized, barrel-shaped cacti. They have large spines, prominent ribs, and fragrant flowers. As drought-loving plants, they are native to the deserts of North America and Latin America. They are named 'Ferocactus' after their spines, as this term derives from the Greek words for "fierce spines."

Ferocactus robustus
Ferocactus robustus are large-sized, barrel-shaped cacti. They have large spines, prominent ribs, and fragrant flowers. As drought-loving plants, they are native to the deserts of North America and Latin America. They are named 'Ferocactus' after their spines, as this term derives from the Greek words for "fierce spines."

Mexican firebarrel
Mexican firebarrel are large-sized, barrel-shaped cacti. They have large spines, prominent ribs, and fragrant flowers. As drought-loving plants, they are native to the deserts of North America and Latin America. They are named 'Ferocactus' after their spines, as this term derives from the Greek words for "fierce spines."

Care Guide for Ferocactus





Scientific Classification

Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Dicotyledons Order
Pinks, cacti, and allies Family
Cactuses Genus
Ferocactus