Ferocactus

Ferocactus is a genus of large barrel-shaped cacti, mostly with large spines and small flowers. There are about 30 species included in the genus Ferocactus. They are found in south-western USA and north-western Mexico. The young specimen are columnar but as they grow older ribs form and they take on a barrel form. Most of the species are solitary but some, such as Ferocactus robustus and F. glaucescens form clumps. The flowers are pink, yellow, red or purple depending on the species, and the petals sometimes have a stripe of a darker colour. They are desert dwellers and can cope with some frost and intense heat. In cultivation they require full sun, and little water but good drainage. The propagation is usually from seeds.

Taxonomy

Species
Ferocactus alamosanus
Ferocactus chrysacanthus
Ferocactus cylindraceus - California Barrel Cactus, Cliff Barrel, Compass Barrel, Compass Cactus, Desert Barrel, Golden-Spined Barrel, Spiny Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus diguetii
Ferocactus echidne - Sonora Barrel, Coville's Barrel Cactus, Emory's Barrel Cactus, Traveler's Friend
Ferocactus emoryi - Sonora Barrel, Coville's Barrel Cactus, Emory's Barrel Cactus, Traveler's Friend
Ferocactus flavovirens
Ferocactus fordii
Ferocactus glaucescens
Ferocactus gracilis - Fire Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus hamatacanthus - Mexican Fruit Cactus, Texas Barrel Cactus, Turk's-Head Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus herrerae - Twisted Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus histrix - Electrode Cactus
Ferocactus horridus
Ferocactus johnstonianus - Johnston's Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus latispinus
Ferocactus macrodiscus
Ferocactus peninsulae
Ferocactus pilosus - Mexican Lime Cactus, Viznaga De Lima
Ferocactus pottsi
Ferocactus rectispinus - Long Spined Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus reppenhagenii
Ferocactus robustus
Ferocactus santa-maria - Santa-Maria Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus schwarzii - Schwarz's Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus stainesii
Ferocactus townsendianus - Townsend Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus viridescens - Coast Barrel Cactus, Keg Cactus, Green-stemmed Viznaga, San Diego Barrel Cactus, Sisal (unrelated to Sisal)
Ferocactus wislizeni - Fishhook Barrel Cactus, Arizona Barrel Cactus, Candy Barrel Cactus, Southwestern Barrel Cactus

Synonyms include Bisnaga Orcutt and Brittonia C.A.Armstr. (nom. inval.).

Translation

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

Translation(s) in other languages: Lithuanian: Ferokaktusas, Polish: Ferokaktus, Russian: Ферокактус, Swedish: Djävulstungesläktet.