Ferocactus is a genus of large barrel-shaped cacti, mostly with large spines and small flowers. There are about 30 species included in the genus Ferocactus. They are found in south-western USA and north-western Mexico. The young specimen are columnar but as they grow older ribs form and they take on a barrel form. Most of the species are solitary but some, such as Ferocactus robustus and F. glaucescens form clumps. The flowers are pink, yellow, red or purple depending on the species, and the petals sometimes have a stripe of a darker colour. They are desert dwellers and can cope with some frost and intense heat. In cultivation they require full sun, and little water but good drainage. The propagation is usually from seeds.
Taxonomy
- Species
- Ferocactus alamosanus
- Ferocactus chrysacanthus
- Ferocactus cylindraceus - California Barrel Cactus, Cliff Barrel, Compass Barrel, Compass Cactus, Desert Barrel, Golden-Spined Barrel, Spiny Barrel Cactus
- Ferocactus diguetii
- Ferocactus echidne - Sonora Barrel, Coville's Barrel Cactus, Emory's Barrel Cactus, Traveler's Friend
- Ferocactus emoryi - Sonora Barrel, Coville's Barrel Cactus, Emory's Barrel Cactus, Traveler's Friend
- Ferocactus flavovirens
- Ferocactus fordii
- Ferocactus glaucescens
- Ferocactus gracilis - Fire Barrel Cactus
- Ferocactus hamatacanthus - Mexican Fruit Cactus, Texas Barrel Cactus, Turk's-Head Barrel Cactus
- Ferocactus herrerae - Twisted Barrel Cactus
- Ferocactus histrix - Electrode Cactus
- Ferocactus horridus
- Ferocactus johnstonianus - Johnston's Barrel Cactus
- Ferocactus latispinus
- Ferocactus macrodiscus
- Ferocactus peninsulae
- Ferocactus pilosus - Mexican Lime Cactus, Viznaga De Lima
- Ferocactus pottsi
- Ferocactus rectispinus - Long Spined Barrel Cactus
- Ferocactus reppenhagenii
- Ferocactus robustus
- Ferocactus santa-maria - Santa-Maria Barrel Cactus
- Ferocactus schwarzii - Schwarz's Barrel Cactus
- Ferocactus stainesii
- Ferocactus townsendianus - Townsend Barrel Cactus
- Ferocactus viridescens - Coast Barrel Cactus, Keg Cactus, Green-stemmed Viznaga, San Diego Barrel Cactus, Sisal (unrelated to Sisal)
- Ferocactus wislizeni - Fishhook Barrel Cactus, Arizona Barrel Cactus, Candy Barrel Cactus, Southwestern Barrel Cactus
Synonyms include Bisnaga Orcutt and Brittonia C.A.Armstr. (nom. inval.).
References
- The species list is referenced in part from cactiguide.com which is in turn referenced from several books which are listed on that site. The principal book listed there is The Cactus Family by Edward F. Anderson, (2001).
External links
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