Colville's barrel cactus, Emory's barrel cactus, Traveller's friend
Ferocactus emoryi

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A large round cactus. It later becomes cylinder shaped. It can be 1.5 m high and 60 cm thick. It has 30-32 ribs. The spine spots are brown and oval and woolly. They are 2-3 cm apart. There are 5-8 white or red spines which radiate out. These are 6 cm long. The spine in the centre is flat and hooked and 8 cm long. The flowers open in the daytime. The flowers are near the crown of the plant. They are red with yellow tipped petals. They are 6-7 cm long.

There are about 35 Ferocactus species.

Where it is found

It needs a sunny position. It needs a temperature above 10°C. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Sap

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Biznaga

Synonyms

Echinocactus emoryi Engelm.; Echinocactus emoryi var. rectispinus Engelmann; Ferocactus rectispinus (Engel.) Britton & Rose; Ferocactus emoryi var. rectispinus (Engel.) N.P.Taylor; Ferocactus emoryi subsp. rectispinus (Engel.) N.P.Taylor; Ferocactus covillei (Br. & R.)Berger;