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What is a Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)

What is a Barrel Cactus

Barrel Cactus Overview

One of my favorite desert plants is the Barrel Cactus. 

RELATED ARTICLE >> How to Remove Cactus Spines

What is a Barrel Cactus

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Tracheophytes
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Clade: Eudicots
  • Order: Caryophyllales
  • Family: Cactaceae
  • Subfamily: Cactoideae
  • Genus: Echinocactus and Genus: Ferocactus.

Size and Body Description

The ribs are numerous and pronounced, and the spines are long and can range in color from yellow to tan to red, depending on the age of the plant and the species.

Flowers appear at the top of the plant only after many years.

The barrel cactus can live to be over 100 years old.

Height

Some species of barrel cactus reach over 3.3 feet in height at maturity and have been known to reach 9.8 feet in some regions.

Reproduction

As the flowers wilt away, small pineapple-shaped greenish fruit may form. Left untouched, the fruit has been known to last a full calendar year. The fruit can be easily removed but is not usually consumed because it is fairly dry and bitter.

Flowers

Barrel cactus buds typically start to bloom in April with a bright yellow or orange flower.

Pink and red varieties also exist but occur less frequently.

The flowers only appear on the very top of the plant.

As the flowers begin to wilt in early May, they may change color.

A late summer desert rainstorm can produce a late bloom.

Range

Barrel Cacti are found in the deserts of Southwestern North America with some of the largest specimens found in the Mojave Desert in southern California.

References Used

What is a Barrel Cactus

Below is a transcription of the above sign found at the Valley of Fire Visitor Center.

Barrel Cactus or Bisnaga – Ferocactus acanthodes

COMMUNITY

Mixed Cliff Semi-Scrub and Creosote Bush Scrub

HABITAT

Rocky slopes, limestone cliffs

ELEVATION

2180 to 3000 feet (700 to 1000 m)

TYPE OF SOIL

Sandy gravel

SOURCE OF WATER

Surface

BLOOMS

March-June

HEIGHT

Up to 6 feet (2 m)

POLLINATION

Insects, wind

ADAPTATION FOR SURVIVAL

Barrel stem stores moisture.

Large, shallow root system quickly absorbs water from infrequent rain and snowfall.

COMMENTS

In novel and films, barrel cactus is shown as the answer to desert thirst but the slimy alkaline juice made by mashing the pulpy flesh really is not drinkable, except in extreme emergencies.

Woodrats sometimes live in the base, gnawing at the soft tissue while protected from enemies.

Indians used needles of this cactus as awls, and to apply tattoos.