Accepted Scientific Name: Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae (J.G.Ortega) Pilbeam & Bowdery
Ferocactus 103. 2005 Pilbeam
Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: Mexico (Sinaloa, Sonora), in coastal plains, at less than 400 m elevation.
Habitat: It grows in grit on the hill-sides. It gets lots of water in two months and lots of sun all year.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Ferocactus wislizeni
Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Twisted Barrel Cactus
Description: Ferocactus wislizeniSN|16130]]SN|16130]] subs. herrerae is a barrel shaped cactus with remarkably long hooked spines.
Habit: Usually solitary.
Stem: Up to 40 cm in diameter, 2 m tall.
Ribs: About 13 sharp, occasionally spiraled.
Spines: The number of spines varies depending on the plant maturity; 7 to 9 central spines, at least one flattened, larger; bristle-like radials.
Flowers: Its flowers colour is always yellow with reddish midribs and brown tips.
Blooming time: Summer and early autumn.
Fruit: The fruit is fleshy, yellowish green.
More...Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Ferocactus wislizeni group
Ferocactus wislizeni Britton & Rose: (subsp. wislizeni) Central spines 4, forming a cross, the lowermost stoutest, and often hooked, 8-10 cm long. Radial spines about 12 needle- to bristle-like, to 5 cm. Flowers yellow to yellowish orange to red, Distribution: central and southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, southwestern Texas, and northwestern Mexico in Chihuahua, Sonora, and Sinaloa.- Ferocactus wislizeni subs. ajoensis Fencl & Kalas: has slender columnar stem, longer, denser and more robust spines and earlier and longer flowering period during the summer months. Distribution: Arizona (Pima, Pinal, Maricopa and Yuma counties).
- Ferocactus wislizeni var. albispinus (Toumey) Y.Itô
- Ferocactus wislizeni var. falconieri (Orcutt) Y.Itô
- Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae (J.G.Ortega) Pilbeam & Bowdery: Central spines 6, grey, ribbed, angled or hooked at the tip, to 10 cm (3.9 in) long and 5 mm wide. Radial spines several, white, twisted, radiating. Flowers yellow with red midveins. Distribution: Sinaloa, Sonora, and Durango, Mexico.
- Ferocactus wislizeni var. phoeniceus (R.E.Kunze) Y.Itô
- Ferocactus wislizeni subs. tiburonensis (G.E.Linds.) Pilbeam & Bowdery: Central spines 4, forming a cross, round in cross section, lower one sometimes flattened, to 9 cm long. Radial spines awl shaped, similar to the centrals, not bristle-like. Flowers yellow. Distribution: Tiburon Island, Gulf of California, Mexico.
Notes: Ferocactus herreraeSN|16130]]SN|16136]] (J. G. Ortega) along whit the allopatric species Ferocactus tiburonensisSN|16141]]SN|16141]] (G. E. Lindsay) are often cited as varieties of Ferocactus wislizeniSN|16136]]SN|16130]] by some botanists but all reports of intermediates with F. herrerae are based on normal F. herrerae there is in fact a 100 kilometre gap in Sonora where neither barrel occurs, this give rise to some doubt that it belongs to the same species as F. wislizeni.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
2) David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
3) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae) Photo by: Gennaro Re
Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae) Photo by: Cactus Art
Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae) Photo by: Cactus Art
Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae) Photo by: Valentino VallicelliCultivation and Propagation: Use very draining soil, water during the aestival growth cycle (this plant need plenty of water) But needs to be avoided wetting the bodies of these plants while they are in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sun light can cause sun burning which can lead to scars or even fungal infections and death. Needs full sun. Keep dry at 10°C in winter, but can tolerate sporadic light frost.
Propagation: Seeds are the only way of reproducing.
Uses: The fruits of this plant are edible, and in the past, the seeds have been used to make flour.
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by Valentino Vallicelli
