Fishhook barrel cactus
Ferocactus wislizeni

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A barrel cactus. They are round when young and grow taller with age. It can be 50 cm wide and 2 m tall. It has 20-30 ribs. The spines can be red or white or grey. There are 4 central spines and 12 or more smaller spines in a ring. The flowers are produced at the crown. The flowers can be yellow or orange. They are funnel shaped. The fruit are oval and green but turn yellow. They are 5 cm long.

There are about 30 Ferrocactus species.

Where it is found

It can tolerate temperatures to -7°C. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Central America, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The pulp of the stem is eaten. It is used to make candies. The seeds are parched and crushed and made into porridge or bread. The fruit is edible but sour. Stem is soaked in syrup or sugar and dried and eaten. The flower buds are pickled and used as an appetizer.

Edible parts

Stem, fruit, seeds, sap

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Arizona barrel cactus, Barrel cactus, Biznacha, Biznaga de agua, Candy barrel cactus, Fish-hook cactus, Southwestern barrel cactus, Visnada, Visnaga hembra, Visnaga

Synonyms

Echinocactus wislizeni Engelmann;