Barrel cactus

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A Barrel Cactus is a type of cactus characterized by being approximately barrel-shaped. Barrel cacti are classified into the two genera Echinocactus and Ferocactus. Their pineapple-shaped fruit can be easily removed and tastes similar to lemons. It may reach over a meter in height. Its ribs are numerous and pronounced and the spines are long and yellow. Small yellow flowers appear around the crown of the plant only after many years. It is considered easy to grow and relatively fast growing. They may also produce round offshoots from the main stem, called pups.

The Seri Indians distinguished three species of barrel cactus:^[1] mojepe siml ( 'saguaro barrel cactus', Ferocactus acanthodes), siml caacöl ('big barrel cactus', Ferocactus covillei) and siml áa ('true barrel cactus', Ferocactus wislizenii). The species F. covillei also had several other names. The species Ferocactus covillei was also called siml cöquicöt, 'killer barrel cactus', to indicate that it should not be used for emergency liquid, unlike the species F. wislizenii.

A common myth is that the barrel cactus is full of water. In truth, it is filled with a slimy alkaline juice that would cause a net loss of water if drunk, diarrhea, as well as potential hypothermia due to a drop in bodily core temperature.

Many people mistakenly believe that the common sight of a tipped over barrel cactus is due to the cactus falling over from water weight. Actually, barrel cacti fall over because they grow towards the sun, just like any other plant. Unlike other plants, however, the barrel cactus usually grows towards the south (to prevent sunburn) hence the name "compass cactus."

The barrel cactus is the last of the cactus to bloom in the calendar year. When it does bloom, a bright orange flower appears. The flower yields to a yellow small pineapple-shaped fruit.

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