Fishhook Barrel Cactus
ExplorePlants
Fishhook Barrel Cactus
ferocactus wislizeni
The Fishhook Barrel Cactus is a spiky plant that can grow tall and round like a barrel! Its hooks keep animals from getting too close, making it a tough survivor in the desert!
Habitat: Deserts and arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Appearance
The Fishhook Barrel Cactus is a large, ribbed, barrel-shaped cactus, often leaning south. It has dense, prominent, reddish-to-yellow hooked spines and blooms with yellow, orange, or red cup-shaped flowers. Its yellow fruits are also distinctive.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCactaceaeGenusFerocactus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It can live for over 100 years, making some cacti older than your grandparents!
Its accordion-like ribs let it expand and shrink, holding extra water after rains.
Many small desert animals use its dense spines for shade and protection from predators.
Native Americans have historically eaten its tart fruit and inner pulp as food.
Special abilities
Ability
Water Vault
Fishhook Barrel Cactus can store huge amounts of water in its fleshy stem to survive long, dry desert periods.
Ability
Hooked Shield
It has long, sharp, hooked spines that deter animals from eating its valuable water-filled body.
Ability
Desert Compass
Some barrel cacti can slowly grow to lean southward, acting like a natural compass for desert explorers.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-200 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 4-7 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late summer to early fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eats
Collared Peccary
Pecari tajacu
Consumes its fruit and juicy pulp.
eats
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Gambel's Quail
Callipepla gambelii
Eats seeds from its ripened yellow fruits.
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits its bright flowers to collect nectar.
eats
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Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis
Feeds on its ripe yellow fruits.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Barrel CactusFishhook CactusGolden Cactus
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful not to touch the spines!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Fishhook Barrel Cactus?
30-200 cm
How wide does Fishhook Barrel Cactus spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Fishhook Barrel Cactus?
4-7 cm
When does Fishhook Barrel Cactus bloom?
Late summer to early fall
Is Fishhook Barrel Cactus edible?
Yes
Is Fishhook Barrel Cactus toxic?
None
What is Fishhook Barrel Cactus's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Fishhook Barrel Cactus pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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