Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Twisted Barrel Cactus, Ferocactus herrerae

Twisted Barrel Cactus, Ferocactus herrerae. Also called: Mexican Fishhook Barrel Cactus. Photos Taken At Phoenix Arizona, Desert Botanical Garden. March 3, 2008.

Twisted Barrel Cactus	Ferocactus herrerae

Twisted Barrel Cactus Ferocactus herrerae, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Twisted Barrel Cactus. Also called: Mexican Fishhook Barrel Cactus. The plant leans toward the sun and thus turns south. Several desert plants have the same tendancy. The plant is filled with a slippery alkaline solution instead of water. 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: Photos Taken At Phoenix Arizona, Desert Botanical Garden. March 3, 2008.