Echinocactus

There are 10 species or less of Echinocactus coming from southwestern USA and northern Mexico. They are closely related to Ferocactus. They vary in size between small plants to giants 3 feet wide and 6 feet tall (1 by 2 m). Most species are subject to scarring at the base of the column, and this can be partially avoided by providing regular water and fertilizer. The name Echinocactus comes from the Greek for "hedgehog cactus", "cactus" being an alternate name for "thistle".

Echinocactus are easily propagated from seeds, and grow rapidly if they are given abundant water and fertilizer. They can be used for landscaping until after they reach 4 inches in diameter (10 cm), 1 to 2 years after being sown. Young Echinocactus should be protected from direct sunlight, until fully acclimated.

Most Echinocactus are fairly cold resistant, often to below 20°F (-7°C).

Species and varieties
Echinocactus acanthodes (Compass Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus
Echinocactus acanthodes var. rostii (Compass Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus
Echinocactus arizonicus (Fishhook Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus wislizeni
Echinocactus corniger (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Echinocactus cornigerus (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Echinocactus cornigerus fa. flavispinus (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Echinocactus cornigerus fa. latispinus (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Echinocactus cylindraceus (Compass Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus
Echinocactus emoryi (Coville's Barrel Cactus, Emory Barrel, Bisnaga) synonym of Ferocactus emoryi ssp. emoryi
Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel)
Echinocactus helophorus (Biznaga Gigante) synonym of Echinocactus platyacanthus
Echinocactus hertrichii (Compass Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus
Echinocactus horizonthalonius (Devil's-Head Cactus, Biznaga Meloncillo)
Echinocactus ingens (Biznaga Gigante) synonym of Echinocactus platyacanthus
Echinocactus karwinskii (Biznaga Gigante) synonym of Echinocactus platyacanthus
Echinocactus lecontei (California Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus ssp. lecontei
Echinocactus nobilis (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Echinocactus ornatus (Monk's Hood) synonym of Astrophytum ornatum
Echinocactus palmeri (Biznaga Gigante) synonym of Echinocactus platyacanthus
Echinocactus pectinatus (Comb Hedgehog) synonym of Echinocereus pectinatus
Echinocactus pectiniferus (Comb Hedgehog) synonym of Echinocereus pectinatus
Echinocactus platyacanthus (Biznaga Gigante)
Echinocactus polycephalus (Cottontop Cactus)
Echinocactus pruinosus (Gray Ghost Organ Pipe, Pitayo) synonym of Stenocereus pruinosus
Echinocactus radiosus (Beehive Cactus) synonym of Escobaria vivipara
Echinocactus recurvus (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Echinocactus recurvus var. latispinus (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Echinocactus robustus synonym of Ferocactus robustus
Echinocactus rostii (Compass Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus
Echinocactus staplesiae (Old Man Cactus, Old Man of Mexico, Cabeza de Viejo) synonym of Cephalocereus senilis
Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus (Compass Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus
Echinocactus visnaga (Biznaga Gigante) synonym of Echinocactus platyacanthus
Echinocactus viviparus (Beehive Cactus) synonym of Escobaria vivipara
Echinocactus wislizeni (Fishhook Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus wislizeni

© 2004 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved.