# golden barrel cactus (*Kroenleinia grusonii*)

The golden barrel cactus is a round, spiky plant that can grow very big! It has bright yellow spines that look like sunshine and loves to live in hot, dry places.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Desert
- **Also known as:** Mother-in-law's Cushion

![golden barrel cactus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Echinocactus_grusonii_%28aka%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: André Karwath aka Aka, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Echinocactus_grusonii_%28aka%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The golden barrel cactus is a spherical to barrel-shaped plant covered in dense, bright golden-yellow spines arranged in neat rows along its prominent ribs. Its large, round body can grow quite tall, making it look like a spiky, golden sphere.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Caryophyllales
- **Family:** Cactaceae
- **Genus:** Kroenleinia

## Interesting facts

- It's sometimes called 'mother-in-law's cushion' because of its round, spiky, and somewhat firm appearance!
- Its bright golden spines change color, turning paler as the cactus gets older!
- This giant cactus can grow to be over three feet tall and weigh hundreds of pounds!
- Wild golden barrel cacti can live for an incredible 100 years or even longer in their natural home!

## Special abilities

- **Water Reservoir:** The golden barrel cactus stores vast amounts of water in its thick stem, helping it survive long droughts in dry desert lands.
- **Spiny Shield:** It has many sharp, golden spines that protect it from hungry animals and shade its skin from intense sun.
- **Sun Follower:** Young golden barrels often lean towards the south, helping their sensitive growing tip avoid harsh direct sunlight.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-100 cm
- **Spread:** 30-100 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Buzzing around its yellow summer flowers
- **Eaten by:** [Desert Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus audubonii*) — Might nibble on young cacti or flowers
- **Shelter:** [Collared Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collared-lizard) (*Crotaphytus collaris*) — Hides under mature cacti for shade and protection

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
- [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
- [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Be careful not to touch the spines, as they can poke you!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify golden barrel cactus?

Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is golden barrel cactus?

30-100 cm

### How wide does golden barrel cactus spread?

30-100 cm

### How big are the flowers on golden barrel cactus?

2-3 cm

### When does golden barrel cactus bloom?

Late Spring to Summer

### Is golden barrel cactus edible?

No

### Is golden barrel cactus toxic?

None

### What is golden barrel cactus's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Mossèn Costa i Llobera Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mossen-costa-i-llobera-gardens) — Cataluña, ES · Park
- [Jardín de Cactus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jardin-de-cactus) — Lanzarote, Canarias, ES · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Golden Barrel Cactus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-barrel-cactus)