Ferocactus
There are about 30 species of barrel cactus included in the genus Ferocactus. They are found in southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico. The young specimen are columnar, as they grow older, the ribs get formed and they start taking the typical barrel shape.Most of the species are solitary, but others like Ferocactus robustus and F. glaucescens are clumping.
The flowers are pink, yellow, red or purple depending on the species. The petals often have a midstripe of a darker color.
Desert dwellers, they will take some frost and intense heat. They require full sun. They need little water but need an excellent drainage.
The propagation is done mostly from seeds.
Species and varieties
Ferocactus acanthodes (Compass Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus
Ferocactus acanthodes var. rostii (Compass Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus
Ferocactus covillei (Coville's Barrel Cactus, Emory Barrel, Bisnaga) synonym of Ferocactus emoryi ssp. emoryi
Ferocactus cylindraceus (Compass Barrel Cactus)
Ferocactus cylindraceus ssp. lecontei (California Barrel Cactus)
Ferocactus cylindraceus var. greenwoodiae (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei (California Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus ssp. lecontei
Ferocactus emoryi ssp. emoryi (Coville's Barrel Cactus, Emory Barrel, Bisnaga)
Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus)
Ferocactus nobilis (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Ferocactus recurvus (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Ferocactus recurvus var. greenwoodii (Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus
Ferocactus robustus
Ferocactus rostii (Compass Barrel Cactus) synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus
Ferocactus wislizeni (Fishhook Barrel Cactus)
© 2004 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved.