Xeriscape Landscape Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
Pictures, Photos, And Planting Information
Cactus

Golden Barrel Cactus, Echinocactus grusonii

Golden Barrel Cactus, Echinocactus grusonii Photo Taken February 01, 2006.

Golden Barrel Cactus Echinocactus grusonii	Height: Typical 2 1/2 Foot Note Crown Forming
Golden Barrel Cactus Flower: Bright Yellow	Golden Barrel Cactus Dried Last Years Fruit
Golden Barrel Cactus Fruit And Seeds	Golden Barrel Cactus Fruit And Seeds

Golden Barrel Cactus Echinocactus grusonii, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Golden Barrel Cactus. Also called Golden Ball Cactus, Mother-In-Law's-Seat, Mother-In-Law's-Cushion. The Golden Barrel Cactus, is one of the most popular of all of the cacti in cultivation. It is admired for its large round shape, it is adorned with very neat rows of clustered golden spines. It's flowers are also golden yellow in color, emerging from a large patch of wool at the center of the plant. They grow a few at a time, over a long period, during the growing season in the warm months of the year. The plants can attain a size of over 2 feet in diameter, and may remain either single or produce several plantlets at the side to form a clump. They come from the State of Queretaro in Mexico, but have become very scarce in their wild environment due to the inundation of much of their natural habitat from the construction of a dam. Echinocactus with its 6 species, is one of the 2 genera of cacti commonly known as barrel cacti. The other genus, with considerably more species, is Ferocactus. The two groups are widely distributed in the southwestern USA and Mexico Older plants tend to lean toward the Southwest. Not tolerant of wet soil. Plant in well drained soil. Height: Up To About 4 - 6 feet tall. But, most are about 2 feet when mature. Flowers: Yellow. About 2 1/2 -inch-wide flowers bloom during March - May. 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.It has a cotton or wool appearance under the dry flower. Leaves: Cactus thorns are modified leaves. Their shape conserves water and adds protection to the cactus plant. Thorns: Golden Brown Color, forming dense clusters along the ribs. They are medium and slightly hooked. Found: Native of Queretaro State in Mexico. Lower Elevations of the Deserts of Arizona and California. Landscape plant. Elevation: 600 - 4500 Feet. Habitat: Common landscape plant. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken February 1, 2006. Glendale.