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  Ferocactus acanthodes forma variegata CACTUS ART
NURSERY

Cultivation and Mail Sale
of Cacti and Succulents.


F. acanthodes grows slowly
, forming in age a  mound of thorns and then a narrow column up to 2m tall,  with attractive curved spines that partly obscure the green stem.  The spine colour is red but also yellow or pale grey.
 

Variegated Ferocactus can be found (although not commonly) in cultivation and some of these variegated plants have a place in most collections. All variegates are mutants. Something has gone wrong with the cellular structure of the growth tip (apical meristem) of the plant. As a result of this mutation, chlorophyll is missing from some or all layers of the plant epidermis. The odd variegate appears in many seedling batches in a small percentage and are generally separated from normal plants. Variegated plants grow slower and are generally smaller than non-variegates of the same species. Coloured areas are also generally weaker, and more susceptible to fungus, sunburn and other defects. A large well grown variegate Ferocactus is truly an achievement. These are harder to grow well than they appear.

Description: Ferocactus is usually unbranched and in habitat can form a single column up to 2 (3) m tall and 30cm in diameter. The ribs are 2.5cm high and tuberculate.
Spines: A large central spine and three auxiliary centrals form a crucifix shape, The primary central is 7-15 , angles down and is slightly to moderately hooked, sometimes to 90 degrees. The other centrals are from 5 to 7.5 cm long. The centrals are noticeably ring ridged and flattened, with a flat upper surface and rounded lower surface. Spines can be very light grey to red and yellow, but darken to black with age.
Flowers:
Yellow flowers tinged with red appear in May and June at the crown of the plant, 4 to 6cm. The fruit with scales is fleshy, yellow or yellowish green
, 5cm long, 2.5cm in diameter.
The flowers on all subspecies are yellow
, occasionally with a red tint.

Cultivation: Prefers filtered sun.  Be careful not to overwater. It can rot easily.  Will take some frost.
Reproduction:
Seeds are the only way of reproducing.


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Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Ferocactus acanthodes

Scientific name: Ferocactus cylindraceus subsp. cylindraceus

Origin Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

Synonyms:  

  • Echinocactus cylindraceus
  • Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus
  • Echinocactus acanthodes
  • Ferocactus acanthodes

This species is highly variable and has numerous synonyms.

Common Names include:  'Desert barrel cactus', 'Compass barrel cactus' (It leans south as it ages, hence the common name). Another name is 'fire barrel' due to its red spines.

 

 


Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Ferocactus cylindraceus:


Photo gallery: Alphabetical listing of Cactus and Succulent pictures published in this site.

Photo gallery Ferocactus

Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.