Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus wislizenii, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Barrel Cactus. Also called Arizona Barrel Cactus, Candy Barrel Cactus, Fishhook Barrel Cactus, Visnage Compass, Barrel Cactus, Wislizenus's Barrel Cactus, Biznaga, Bisnagre.
The plant leans toward the sun and thus turns south. It has the name Compass Plant because of that tendancy. Several desert plants have the same tendancy.
The plant is filled with a slippery alkaline solution instead of water. I tried it and it tastes awful. The fruits attract insects and rodents. The pulp can be used for cactus candy. There are three species in Arizona.
Height: Up To About 11' tall. Most are 2' to 3' Tall.
Flowers: Orange to Red. About 2 1/2 -inch-wide flowers bloom during April - August. Day blooming, forming a crown of flowers on top of the cactus.
Blooming Time: April - August.
Stem: Up to 2' in diameter consisting of an interior framework of about 20 - 30 or more woody ribs supports the spongy tissue.
Fruit: The fruit is up to 1 3/4"X 1 3/8" in diameter, it is yellow and fleshy, it later dries becoming scale looking and brown.
Leaves: Cactus thorns are modified leaves. Their shape conserves water and adds protection to the cactus plant.
Thorns: Gray to Red in Color, forming dense clusters along the ribs. They are large and slightly hooked.
Found: Lower Elevations of the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and California. Also Sonora, Mexico. On sandy desert, and gravel slopes in the deserts and grass lands.
Elevation: 600 - 4500 Feet.
Habitat: On sandy desert, and gravel slopes in the deserts and grass lands. Common landscape plant.
Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken May 11, 2003 Glendale City. Desert Photo April 25, 2003 Near Lake Pleasant.
