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barrel cactus

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IDENTIFICATION

Common Name

barrel cactus

Photo #1

Scientific Name

Ferocactus wislizeni (Engelm.) Britt. & Rose

Family

Cactaceae

Spanish Name

biznaga, viznaga

Species Description

Barrel cacti (Ferocactus spp.) are short, cylindrical cacti with prominent ribs. The Latin name of the genus means “fierce cactus,” in reference to the thick, heavy spines. The most common species in Arizona is fishhook barrel, F. wislizenii). When young, this species cactus is globe-shaped, and it grows more cylindrical as it grows older. This barrel cactus has a wide, flat central spine, crosshatched with little ridges and curving downward at the end. It also has many white, bristly radial spines. The flowers appear in clusters at the top of the plant. They are orange, red or yellow and bloom in July to September. The fruit are elongated, yellow, fleshy, and tart, and filled with tiny black seeds.

NATURAL / CULTURAL HISTORY

AZ Native or Introduced

Native of Arizona

Natural Range

Barrel cactus occurs naturally in the Mojave, Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of southern California, southern Arizona west to Texas and south into Baja California and central Mexico.

Natural Habitat

Barrel cactus grows along desert washes and gravelly bajadas, and at the base of cliffs.

Cultural-Historic Notes

Native Americans boiled young barrel cactus flowers in water to eat and mashed older boiled flowers for a drink. The tiny black seeds were ground and eaten. They used the cactus as a cooking pot by cutting off the top, scooping out the pulp and inserting hot stones together with food. They used the spines as needles, awls, fish hooks, and in tattooing. The fresh pulp can be high in oxalic acid and may be toxic, and as such it was rarely eaten raw. Traditionally, the pulp has been used for making cactus candy, if leached or boiled carefully. Intensive harvesting has led to population declines and, therefore, protected status in many areas.

GROWTH FORM & RATE

Growth Form

Cactus

Tree or Understory

Understory

Other Growth Characteristics

Evergreen
Thorns / Spines

Growth Rate

Moderate

Canopy Diameter

30+ inches

Tree Height

2-4 feet; may grow up to 10 feet tall

Lifespan

50-100 years

Chill Hours

None required

Freeze Tolerance

Barrel cactus can withstand some freezing temperatures, though they are generally not cold hardy outside of the Southwestern deserts.

Site, Micro-Climate, and Growing Considerations

Barrel cactus prefers full sun, though some grow in partial shade.

Elevation Range

F. wislizenii grows from 1000-4600 feet in Arizona.

Appropriate Arizona Elevation Categories

HIGH DESERT: Sierra Vista, Kingman, Globe, Wilcox - USDA Zones 8a-8b (10-20ºF)
MID DESERT: Tucson, Ajo, Safford, Casa Grande - USDA Zones 9a-9b (20-30ºF)
LOW DESERT: Phoenix, Lake Havasu City, Yuma - USDA Zones 9b-10a (25-35ºF)

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

WATER

Relative Plant Water Use

Very Low

Post-Establishment Irrigation Needs

None

Notes on Species-Specific Water Needs

Water barrel cactus thoroughly about two weeks after transplanting. The cacti will need water every three weeks in cooler months and once per week in hot months for about a year until established. Do not sprinkle cacti; water them directly at the root zone. Too much water can cause root rot, killing the cactus.

CARE

Pollination

Cactus bees (Lithurge spp.) pollinate the flowers.

Soils

Barrel cactus does not tolerate heavy clay soils where water pools.

Propagation

Barrel cactus can be planted from seed. Fill a shallow tray with loose light soil or planting medium. Make sure the tray has holes for quick drainage. Barrel cactus seeds require light and warmth to germinate, so avoid planting them too deep. Scatter the seeds on the surface of the mix and then sprinkle with a thin layer of coarse sand or perlite. Water the tray by setting it in a larger, shallow pan and fill enough water to reach halfway up the tray. Alternatively, use a spray bottle to mist the soil surface. If the weather is warm, place the tray outside out of direct sunlight, or inside by a window. Keep evening temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees F. Keep soil moist but not soggy at all times; it may help to cover the container with loosely with plastic wrap. The seeds should germinate within three weeks. When the seedlings emerge, keep the soil warm. Lift a corner of the plastic wrap to allow the seedlings to gradually acclimate to a less humid environment. Continue to keep the soil just slightly moist as the barrel cactus seedlings grow.

Pest & Disease Control

Barrel cactus may be susceptible to sunburn if placed in an unprotected setting. The cactus is also prone to rootrot if overwatered or grown in poorly drained soils. An internal soft rot of barrel cacti is caused by species of Pythium, a soil borne pathogen that is favored by moist conditions.

Pruning Notes

None

HARVEST & PROCESSING

Edible Parts

The fruit, seeds, flower buds, and inner flesh of the barrel cactus may be eaten. Harvest the buds in May and June; flowers July through September. Use tongs to collect the buds, remembering to harvest only a fraction of the available buds since many wildlife species rely on the cactus flowers and fruit as a food source. The buds may be pickled in vinegar or brine, or fermented with salt and lactic acid. Harvest the fruits from January through March, October through December. Fruits are mucilaginous and may be sliced lengthwise and dried slightly for 1-3 days before use. Once the fruit are drier, scoop out the seeds. Lightly toast the seeds before eating—these can be added to breads and cereals whole or ground into flour. The fruits can be made into chutney or candied; either process involves boiling the fruit for a long period of time and adding spices.

Harvest Months

January
February
March
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Harvest Months Notes

fruit - January thru March, October thru December; buds - May & June; flowers - July thru September

Harvest and Processing Guide

Harvest and Processing Guide

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This website and other LEAF Network products shown here was prepared under the Diverse Urban Forest grant, WCG 14-501, administered by the Arizona Community Tree Council. Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program administered through Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – Urban and Community Forestry Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability (Not all prohibited basis applies to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.