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Plant of the Month

July 2008

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California Barrel Cactus

Ferocactus cylindraceus var. cylindraceus

Cactaceae Family

Form: Barrel cactus, usually solitary, but can clump or branch. Grows in a cylindrical shape. Offsets are generally formed from some sort of damage to the main stem (animals, cold temps, rock slides�). In some cases the fruit drop their seeds at the base of the main stem and new plants grow, giving the impression of a single cluster.

Size: Can get up to 8ft tall and 18-20in in diameter. Spines are dense and curly. Spines can be a dark red to a rust color near the base, while the top spines can get grey to white. The spines eventually curve and some may be hooked. Habitat plants generally have very light colored spines at the apex when out in full sun. Even young seedlings can be heavily spined. Ferocactus spines are extremely strong, in theory, one could lift the plant up using the spines. Extreme caution should be taken around these plants, as the spines are very sharp and can be very dangerous.

Flowers/Fruit: Yellow or Orange flowers make their way through the dense spines from May through August. Fruit is yellow and fleshy.

Sun/Water: Can take full sun and needs little to no water once established. These plants grow in very arid regions, at times the only rain they get is just a few short weeks in the winter. They are virtually bone dry all year.

Propagation: Generally propagated from seed. Can be propagated by cuttings, but it�s rare. In habitat, birds will eat the fruit and disperse it along their flight path, giving new life to Ferocactus communities.

Notes: While known as The California Barrel Cactus, this plant has a large range of distribution in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and reaching down into Baja California, Mexico. These plants can grow in large groups or all alone. They prefer rocky slopes and sandy soils. There are 2 varieties of Ferocactus cylindraceus distinguishable by their growing locations.

var. cylindraceus � Found in the lower elevations up to 2000ft. Spines are long, up to 6in.

var. lecontei � Found in the higher elevations of 2300ft and above. Spines are shorter, up to 3in.

All photos taken in habitat; Palm Springs, Calif., USA. Elevation is approximately 1000-1500ft.

Plant of the Month Archives

June 2008 � Cylindropuntia bigelovii

July 2008 � Ferocactus cylindraceus var. cylindraceus

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