Mexican lime cactus
Ferocactus pilosus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It can grow singly or occur as a clump. The stems are column shaped and 3 m tall and 50 cm across. There are 13-20 ribs which become more rounded as the plant matures. There are red or yellow spines. These can be 5 cm long. The flowers are in circles around the stem tips. They are 4 cm long and 2.5 cm across. The fruit is oval and yellow and 3.4 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on rocky limestone hillsides and dry and open areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The stems are cooked. The flowers are eaten with sugar.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, stems

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Biznaga roja, Kaktus limau meksiko

Synonyms

Echinocactus piliferus Lem. ex Labour.; Echinocactus pilosus Galeottii ex Salm-Dyck; Echinocactus stainesii Hook. ex Salm-Dyck; Ferocactus piliferus (Lem. ex Labour.) G. Unger; and others