Mexican fruit cactus
Ferocactus hamatacanthus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. Plants are usually single. They are round or cylinder shaped and 60 cm high by 30 cm across. There are 12-17 ribs. There are 4-8 central spines that are curved backwards and hooked at the tip. They can be twisted and are 8 cm long. There are 8-20 spines around these and they are straight and 1.5-8 cm long. The flowers are funnel shaped and yellow. They are 6-10 cm long. The fruit are oval and green to red. They are 2.5-5 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry and open areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are used as a substitute for lemons as an acid flavouring. The fruit is dried and used as a sweetmeat. The unopened flower buds are soaked in water overnight then boiled or fried.

The buds are harvested and canned.

Edible parts

Fruit, flower buds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Anzuela, Biznaga de tuna, Huecomitl, Kaktus tong texas, Lemon cactus, Metzollin, Texas barrel cactus, Turk's-head barrel cactus, Turk's-head cactus, Viznaga, Viznaga barrel cactus

Synonyms

Echinocactus hamatacanthus Muehlenpfordt; Bisnaga hamatacanthus (Muehl.) Orcutt; Hamatocactus hamatacanthus (Muehl.) F.M. Knuth; Echinocactus longihamatus Pfeiffer; Echinocactus sinuatus A Dietrich; Hamatacactus sinuatus (A. Dietrich) L.D. Benson; Ferocactus hamatacanthus var. sinuatus (A. Dietrich) L.D. Benson; Ferocactus hamatacanthus subsp. sinuatus (A. Dietrich) N.P Taylor; Bisnaga hamatacantha subsp. sinuata (A. Dietrich) Doweld; Echinocactus longihamatus var. crassispinus Engel.; Ferocactus hamatacanthus var. crassispinus (Engel.) L.D. Benson;