HEROIC  BOTANICALS
FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL McNULTY
Opuntia santa-rita
Opuntia santa-rita
Opuntia engelmanii var engelmanii
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
Ferocactus wislizenii fruit

Ferocactus wislizenii (133)

Name
Ferocactus wislizeniii

Origin
Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico.

Nomenclature
Ferocactus means, appropriately enough, ferocious cactus. The thorns can be devastating. Indeed, there seems to be a sort of neurotoxin in varying degrees on the tips of these cactus’s thorns.

Discussion
This is a common Sonoran Desert plant. There are about 40 species of barrel cactus included in the genus Ferocactus. They are found in southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico. Most of the species are solitary, although some grow in clumps. The flowers can be pink, yellow, red or purple depending on the species. The petals often have a midstripe of a darker color. Desert dwellers, they will take some frost and intense heat. They require full sun. They need little water but need an excellent drainage.


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