Le conte barrel cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus, Cactography: 5 (1926))

Family: Cactaceae

Author: (Engelm.) Orcutt

Bibliography: Cactography: 5 (1926)

Year: 1926

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ferocactus

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. California to SW. Utah and Mexico (NE. Baja California, NW. Sonora)

Description

The Le conte barrel cactus, also known by its scientific name Ferocactus cylindraceus, is a fascinating species of cacti recognized for its robust and cylindrical shape. This desert plant is part of the Cactaceae family, renowned for its unique adaptation to arid environments.

First described in detail in 1926, Ferocactus cylindraceus was documented in “Cactography” by the noted botanist (Engelm.) Orcutt. Its natural habitat spans a broad region from Southern California to Southwestern Utah and stretches down into Mexico, covering Northeastern Baja California and Northwestern Sonora. This wide distribution illustrates the plant’s ability to thrive in some of the harshest landscapes on the continent.

The Le conte barrel cactus is well adapted to the extreme conditions of its native desert environments. It features a stout, barrel-shaped body that serves as a reservoir for water, allowing it to survive prolonged periods of drought. The surface of the cactus is ribbed with numerous spines, which not only deter herbivores but also provide some shade, reducing water loss.

Despite the rugged conditions of its habitat, Ferocactus cylindraceus showcases a unique beauty. Its spines range from yellow to reddish tones, and during the blooming season, it produces vivid flowers that add splashes of color to the arid landscape. These flowers are typically yellow or red and attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and birds.

The Le conte barrel cactus is an excellent example of adaptation and resilience, showcasing nature’s ingenuity in surviving and flourishing in desert ecosystems. Its presence across a vast geographical area underscores its importance in these landscapes, serving as a critical component of the desert’s biodiversity.

Common Names

Spa: biznaga-barril cilíndrica, biznaga
Eng: california barrel cactus, le conte barrel cactus, cliff barrel cactus, compass barrel cactus, compass cactus, desert barrel cactus, golden-spine barrel cactus, spiny barrel cactus
Swe: jättedjävulstunga
En: Le Conte barrel cactus, Cliff barrel cactus, Desert barrel cactus, Golden-spine barrel cactus, Compass barrel cactus, Compass cactus, Spiny barrel cactus, California barrel cactus, California barrelcactus, Miner’s compass, Eastwood’s Barrel Cactus
Lt: Ritininis ferokaktusas
Mk: Калифорниски кактус
Es: Biznaga, Biznaga-barril Cilíndrica
Sv: Jättedjävulstunga

Synonyms

• Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus (Engelm.)

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• California (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Nevada (native)
• Utah (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Mar 18, 2018 by Israel Mira (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2021 by Kim Lander (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2021 by Shelly Bacon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2022 by sara frank (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2019 by Monterrosa Christopher (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 16, 2012 by EOL − John Brew (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2015 by EOL − Damon Tighe (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 21, 2016 by EOL − bradwinckelmann (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 25, 2020 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2021 by Darrell Anglen (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Jacques MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Terry Miller (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2019 by Ron Ron (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2021 by Darrell Anglen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Dreg – (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 25, 2019 by Gianfranco Vinci Gianfranco Vinci (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2020 by Foresi Juan Pablo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2020 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2016 by EOL − Aliya Ingersoll (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 12, 2011 by EOL − Gerald and Buff Corsi (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 9, 2021 by Chinnasamy sadasiven (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2020 by Chiara79 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2021 by cosio rosas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Dana Nickel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 12, 2020 by jamie (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by jeremieb06 (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3084150)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:103619-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ferocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Orcutt)

Specifications

Growth