Ferocactus cylindraceus is a species of barrel cactus which is known by several common names, including California barrel cactus, Desert barrel cactus, compass barrel cactus, and miner's compass. It was first described by George Engelmann in 1853.[1]
Ferocactus cylindraceus is usually cylindrical or spherical, usually found in clusters with some older specimens forming columns grow up to in diameter and 3m (10feet) in height. The stem has 18 to 27 distinct ribs and is covered in long, plentiful spines, which are straight and red when new and become curved and gray as they age. Each areola typically contains four to seven central spines that are long, as well as 15 to 25 radial spines resembling strong hairs.[2]
The cactus bears funnel-shaped flowers that are maroon outside, and bright yellow inside, with red tints and yellow centers on the side that faces the sun, measuring in length and in diameter. The fleshy, hollow fruits are spherical, yellow, and about long.
Accepted Subspecies:[3]
| Image | Subspecies | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Ferocactus cylindraceus cylindraceus— California barrel cactus. | Southern California to Southwest Utah and Mexico | |
| Ferocactus cylindraceus lecontei (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor — Leconte's barrel cactus.[4] | Central Arizona | |
| Ferocactus cylindraceus tortulispinus (H.E.Gates) N.P.Taylor | Southeast California to South Nevada and Mexico (Northwest Sonora) | |
This cactus is native to the eastern Mojave Desert and western Sonoran Desert Ecoregions in: Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah in the Southwestern United States; and Baja California, and Sonora state in Northwestern Mexico.[5] [6]
It is found in gravelly, rocky, or sandy soils, in Creosote Bush Scrub and Joshua Tree Woodland habitats, from 60m-1500mm (200feet-4,900feetm) in elevation.[7]
In 1852, George Engelmann first described Ferocactus cylindraceus as Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus. The name "cylindraceus" is derived from Latin, meaning "cylindrical," which describes the shape of the plant's shoots. In 1926, Charles Russell Orcutt moved this variety to the Ferocactus genus.[8]
Having a sculptural form and picturesque qualities, this already uncommon cactus is threatened by plant collectors.[7] It is also losing habitat to clearing for new wind farms and solar power plants in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert.