Ferocactus cylindraceus

Ferocactus cylindraceus is a species of barrel cactus which is known by several common names, including California barrel cactus, Desert barrel cactus, and miner's compass. It was first described by George Engelmann in 1853.[1]

Ferocactus cylindraceus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Core eudicots
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Cactaceae
Genus:
Ferocactus
Species:
F. cylindraceus
Binomial name
Ferocactus cylindraceus
(Engelm.) Orcutt
Synonyms

Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus Engelm.
Echinocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Engelm.
Echinocactus acanthodes Lem. (rejected name)

Distribution

This cactus is native to the eastern Mojave Desert and western Sonoran Desert Ecoregions in: Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah in the Southwestern United States; and Baja California, and Sonora state in Northwestern Mexico.[2][3]

It is found in gravelly, rocky, or sandy soils, in Creosote Bush Scrub and Joshua Tree Woodland habitats, from 60–1,500 metres (200–4,920 ft) in elevation.[4]

Description

Ferocactus cylindraceus is usually cylindrical or spherical, with some older specimens forming columns 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height. It is covered in long, plentiful spines, which are straight and red when new and become curved and gray as they age.[5]

The cactus bears flowers that are maroon outside, and bright yellow inside, with red or yellow centers on the side that faces the sun. The fleshy, hollow fruits are yellow.

Varieties
  • Ferocactus cylindraceus var. cylindraceus — California barrel cactus.[6]
  • Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei — Leconte's barrel cactus.[7][8]
Hillside with many Ferocactus cylindraceus, in Joshua Tree National Park.

Conservation

Having a sculptural form and picturesque qualities, this already uncommon cactus is threatened by plant collectors.[4] It is also losing habitat to clearing for new wind farms and solar power plants in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert.

Protected areas with notable populations include
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References
  1. Anderson, Edward F. (2001). The cactus family. Timber Press. p. 327. ISBN 0-88192-498-9. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  2. CalFlora Database: Ferocactus cylindraceus . accessed 4.1.2013
  3. CalFlora Database: Distribution Map (in California)
  4. Jepson . accessed 4.1.2013
  5. Flora of North America . accessed 4.1.2013
  6. USDA: Ferocactus cylindraceus var. cylindraceus
  7. Jepson: Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei
  8. USDA: Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei
  • Flower, in Palm Canyon, California.
  • Red barrel cacti, Joshua Tree National Park.
  • Unusual shape, in Palm Canyon, California.
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