Ferocactus haematacanthus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. The plants occur singly. They are round or cylinder shaped and green. They are 30-120 cm high and 26-36 cm wide. There are 13-27 ribs. The spines are red. There are 4 central spines and these are 4-8 cm long. There are 6-7 spines around these. These are 2.5-3.5 cm long. The flowers are funnel shaped and purple or red. They are 6-7 cm long and 6-7 cm wide. The fruit are oval and deep purple. They are 2-3.5 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. They grow in Mexico above 2,200 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Mexico, North America

How it is used for food

The buds are commercially harvested and canned.

Edible parts

Buds, fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Echinocactus electracanthus var. haematacanthus Salm-Dyck; Echinocactus haematacanthus (Salm-Dyck) Monville ex F.A.C. Weber; Bisnaga haematacantha (Salm-Dyck) Doweld;