Barrel Cactus

Form: cylindrical upright cactus
Seasonality: evergreen perennial
Size: to 8 feet tall
Flowers: yellow or orange flowers in may through August, 1.6 to 2 cm (4-5 cm).
Fruit: Plupy, edible
Stems/Trunks: single
Range/Origin: southwest USA(Arizona, California), northern Mexico (Sonora, Baja California) at 2000 to 5000 feet elevation (600-1500 m)
Hardiness: sunset: 8-24; USDA: 9-10
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 20° F. (-7°C)

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• xeriscape garden

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun
• Water: little water. Ferocacti die easily with too much water or not enough sun.
• Soil: moderately rich, well drained soil
• Propagation: seeds
• Maintenance: little required

NOTES: Synonym: Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus, Echinocactus cylindraceus, Ferocactus acanthodes, Echinocactus acanthodes, Echinocactus hertrichii, Thelocactus hertrichii, Ferocactus rostii, Ferocactus acanthodes var. rostii, Echinocactus rostii,

Growth Habits: Solitary, grows slowly to 8 feet tall (2.4 m), 14 inches in diameter (35 cm); 18 to 25 obtuse ribs; Areoles are 0.6 to 0.8 inches apart (1.5 to 2 cm); 1 to 4 central spines, generally 2 are longer, one upper and one lower, curved but not hooked, 3 to 4.5 inches long (7.5-11 cm); 6 to 12 white spreading radial spines, 0.8 to 1.6 inches (2-4 cm).Echinocactus acanthodes var. rostii

The Compass Barrel Cactus grows slanted in the direction of the south. This is due to the fact that the northern side in the cactus, somewhat protected from the sun grows faster than the south side. The picture is taken from the south side.

The different varieties are distinguished by the shape and color of the spines, although the spine color can vary widely within the same population.

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Common name	Botanical name	Yuma County	Questions/Comments

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This page compiled for the Moody Demonstration Garden by D. Post 28 Apr 2004
References: Desert Tropicals Free Information; http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
Dry Climate Gardening With Succulents : The Huntington Botanical Gardens

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