Ferocactus Species, California Barrel Cactus, Compass Barrel Cactus

Ferocactus cylindraceus is my absolute favorite cactus native to Utah. They are one of the main iconic indicators of the Mojave Desert. T...Read Morehey can grow pretty massive in Washington County. And I know of specimens that are about 8-10 feet tall in the Beaver Dam Wash area, growing almost vertically straight out of the sandstone cliffs. I’m sure there are some even taller specimens hidden somewhere in non accessible, remote areas of southern Utah, as they can sometimes reach 12 foot plus. They commonly grow with Yucca brevifolia (the Joshua Tree), Agave utahensis (Utah Agave), Cylindropuntia (Cholla), and Acacia greggii (the Catlcaw Acacia). They are my absolute favorite species of Ferocactus, because they are so vividly colorful. And they look EXTREMELY ornamental even in the wild, with very little water or nutrients. This is a very large growing barrel cactus in both height, and width. The fruits and yellow flowers are also absolutely gorgeous, and add even more to the beauty of this magnificent cactus. This species of Ferocactus is cold hardy to at least 10°F, and possibly even a little lower. I know of a couple people growing this species unprotected in Salt Lake City (zone 7b), up against south facing walls with gravel mulch. They seem to be very, very hardy if in a protected location in full sun.

I own 4 of them and they do extremely well in Vegas. Little to no water expect a sprinkle every 2 weeks during the hot summers when we ar...Read Moree in the triple digits. One in particular is fully red and is close to 2 feet.

The International Cactaceae Systematics Group (ICSG) lists in the 2001 book, 'The Cactus Family' by Anderson, that Ferocactus acanthodes ...Read Moreto be a synonym of Ferocactus cylindraceus.
Other common names are: Biznaga, California Barrel Cactus, Cliff Barrel Cactus, Compass Cactus, Desert Barrel Cactus, Golden-spined Barrel Cactus & Spiney Barrel Cactus.
The flowers on all subspecies are yellow occasionally with a red tint.
The subspecies 'cylindraceus' can grow up to 10 ft tall. The spines are yellow, red & brown & twisted, some more than others.
The subspecies 'lecontei' has central spines that are not twisted and Never hooked which often lay closer to the body.
The subspecies 'tortulispinus' is much shorter and the gray spines are twisted.

I've seen this growing in the wild in the Phoenix surrounding desert, and on the 'El Camino Del Diablo Trail' (Devils' Highway) that runs between Ajo and Wellton in Arizona in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.

This cactus is now under the new name Ferocactus cylindraceus and can still be found under F. acanthodes. Can be 15" across and up to 6'...Read More tall. Tend to lean south as it ages hence the common name 'compass barrel'. Another common name is 'fire barrel' due to it's red spines, which actually ranges from tan to bright red in color. Grown wild here in southern Nevada. It is a protected plant and it is illegal to obtain wild plants without permits.