Echinocactus

Echinocactus is a genus of large barrel-shaped cacti, usually with large spines and small flowers. The generic name derives from the Ancient Greek εχινος echino- "spiny" and cactus. Other types of Barrel Cactus are assigned to genus Ferocactus.

Additional species used to be included in the genus but now the number is reduced to six. They thrive on plenty of sun.

Perhaps the best known species is Echinocactus grusonii from Mexico, which is popularly known as the Golden Barrel Cactus, an easy-to-grow and widely cultivated plant.

Selected species
Echinocactus grusonii - golden barrel cactus
Echinocactus platyacanthus - giant barrel cactus, large barrel cactus
Echinocactus polycephalus - many-headed barrel cactus, cotton top cactus, harem cactus, woolly-headed barrel cactus
Echinocactus texensis - horse-crippler cactus, candy cactus, devil's-head cactus, devil's pincushion
Echinocactus wislizeni - Fishhook barrel cactus, Arizona Barrel Cactus, Candy Barrel Cactus, Southwestern Barrel Cactus

Synonymy

The following genera are considered synonyms to Echinocactus:

Brittonrosea Speg.
Echinofossulocactus Lawr.
Homalocephala Britton & Rose

Translation

The word "Echinocactus" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Catalan, Czech, German, Spanish, French, Croatian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian.

Translation(s) in other languages: Lithuanian: Ežiakaktusis, Polish: Echinokaktus, Russian: Эхинокактус, Finnish: Siilikaktukset, Swedish: Igelkottskaktussläktet.