Ferocactus

John Pilbeam and Derek Bowdery

Contents
Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Classification

Ferocactus fruits

Key to the species

Cultivation

12

Map of distribution area

14

Geography and distribution

15

Species as they occur in the southern USA and Mexico (by states)

Checklist of species

17

Species commentary

18

Referred and other superfluous names

106

Field Collection Numbers

111

Bibliography

115

Herbaria

116

Herbaria where Ferocactus have been deposited

First Edition 2005 British Cactus and Succulent Society,

John Pilbeam. Derek Bowdery and photographers.

ISBN, 0 902099 76 0

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic. mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the permission of the
Publisher and Copyright owner.f. The copyright of all
photolvaphs remains with the credited photographer.

Published and distributed by: The British Cactus and

Succulent Society
Authors: John Pilbeam and Derek Bowdery
De:.ignIProducrion: David Neville and Graham Charles
Repro and Printing by: Cast1e Colour, Norwich U.K.

Preface
For some years now I have watched the enthusiasm of
Derek Bowdery for the genus Ferocactus with wonder
and awe at his ski ll in growing these plants.
When many of us after a few years would leave their
seed-raised plants of this genus in a toe-cramping pot
of about 15cm for many years before, maybe, potting
them on to at most a 25cm pot, Derek has steadi ly
pushed his plants on, watered them well and fed them
mightily to produce the sort of plants after about 20
years that we have seen comparably only in the wild,
or field grown in nurseries in climates kinder than in
the UK. The accolade of a gold medal for a display of
the (all but) complete genus of Ferocactus at a Royal
Horticultural Society display a few years ago. was
matched only by the su nshine which shone down on
the plants on the stand, which brought out the colours
of the spines wonderfully in celestial approval of his
efforts. Many of hi s seed-raised plants have flowered,
and the sight of these football or larger sized
representatives of a genus that few of us grow to their
full potential is one of the best sights in the hobby.
Helping him to lift them and transport them to such a
display is quite another matter, and one not to dwell on

here, especially as they are liable to show their lack of

appreciation of suffering the indignity of being so
unnaturally moved about, with severe attacks from
their spines, for which they are so aptly named
"Fero(cious )cactus".
Trave lling with Derek in the wilds of Mexico is an
education too with regard to this genu s, with the
frequent cry of "STOP" from him as he espied yet
another Ferocactus beckoning him from the hillsides,
and we would be dragged to them, not protesting too
much, to admire the spi nes, the flowers or just the
sheer bulk of this wonderful beacon of the cactus
world, beaming out from the hills as an indicator of
cactus habitats.
I am grateful to him for this education, and I am
grateful to him too for agreeing 10 co-operate in
producing this book on the genus. Long may he cry
"STOP" to me, I always will for these beautiful plants.

John Pilbeam

Acknowledgements
Our grateful thanks are due to our companion on the
various trips we have made, Bill Weightman, although
he was onc of the more difficult drivers to make STOP
on occasions. He made up for this however by taking
somewhat better photographs than at least one of the
authors is capable of taking. We must also sing le out
for special mention Nigel Taylor, who fOLlnd time to
read our efforts and make useful suggestions, as well
as bringing his key up to date. In addition he agreed in
anticipation of this book to describe the hitherto
undescribed subspecies of F fordii, which has long
been commonly grown as this spec ies although the
original description is of a plant from much further
south and rarely seen in cultivation.
Thanks are also due to the various other volunteers of
photographs, both of plants in captivity, and, perhaps
more importantly of plants in the wild, where they
reach their full potential in both size, coloration and
tlowering capabilities. They include: Robin Alabaster,
Erik Anderson, Ted Andersont, Salvador Arias
Montes, Sonia Barker-Frickert, Ron Bates, Darl
Bickel, Janos Bodor, Jean Bonnefond, Jean-Marc

Chalet, Graham Charles, Joe Clements, Mick Cotter,

Colin Cutler, Amante Darmanin, Martin Edwards,
Charles Glasst, Alan Hart, Paul Hoxey, Gary James,
Bert Jonkers, Brian Kemble, Frank Keoghan, David
Kirkbright, Martin Kristen & Julia Etter, Fred Lampo,
Alfred Lau, Joel Lode, Martin Lowry, Eberhard Lutz,
John Miller, Mark Muradian, David Neville, John and
Dorothy Pasek, Bill Pluemer, Malcolm Pym, Gordon
Rowley, David Ru shforth, Nigel Taylor, A ldo
Torrebruno, Robin Walton, Franziska & Richard Wolf,
Milan Zachar.
Lastly, many thanks to David Neville and Graham
Charles for laying out the book in sLlch an attractive
way.

Fig. 1 (opposite page): In early August, the spectacular

Hower display of F. emoryi subsp. emoryi, west of

Peter's Corner, Arizona, USA

Introduction
The genus Ferocactus is not as widely grown in cultivation as it might be, and does not often receive the
attention from growers that the plants need for best
results. In the climates of the kinder States of the
USA with the advantage of little danger of frost, many
can be grown outdoors, and in these circumstances
these plants do well. In the UK they can with
advantage be placed outdoors in the summer months,
when they will not be so liable to be disfigured with
sooty mould, and will develop their spines to best
potential.
There are a handful of species that are smaller
growing than most, which will flower at IScm
diameter or Jess, notably F. fordii subsp. borealis,
F. viridescens, F. macrodiscus, and F. alamosanus and
subsp. reppenhagenii. F. latispinus at this size too will
produce buds in cultivation in the UK in late August
to early September, but usually needs coddling by
removal to a sunny position indoors in the dwelling
house with higher temperatures than normally
maintained in the glasshouse, else the buds lend to
abort with the lower night temperatures and
shortening days.
Many of the larger growing species will oblige when
they get to small football size, and this has proved to
be the case in the last few years in Derek's collection
in Norfolk, where tlowers have also been forthcoming
on F. chrysacanthlls, F. cylindracells (and subsp.
eastwoodiae), F. echidlle, F. emoryi (and subsp.
rectispinlls), F. giallcescens, F. gracilis (and subsp.
coLoratus and subsp. galesii), F. histrix, F. peninsulae
(and subsp. santa-maria and subsp. townsendianus),
F. pifosus, F. schwarzii and F. wiJlizeni.

British Cactus and Succulent Society. The authors

have taken into account Lindsay's doctoral thesis on
the genus of 1955, published with additional material
by other Ferocactus enthusiasts, including research on
the DNA analysis by J. Hugo Cota, when he was
working at the Department of Botany, Iowa State
University and the Centro de Educacion Ambiental e
Investigacion Sierra de Huautla (CEAMISH) at the
Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos,
Mexico. We have also been influenced to some extent
by the treatment of the genus by Gottfried Unger in his
massive
book
Die
grossen
Kugelkakleen
Nordamerikas, some of whose theories we have some
sympathy with. Franziska and Richard Wolf's lovely
books Baja CaLifornia und seine Inseln (1999) and
Die Ferokakteen der Baja California (2004) have
been enlightening too with many habitat photographs
taken on the islands around Baja Califomia. most of
which they visited.
The species of various other genera which have been
assigned to this genus are covered in the chapter called
'Referred and other superfluous names', with an
indication of the genus to which they arc more
generally considered to belong; also in this part of the
book are those other Ferocactus names which have
been applied to the accepted species of the genus, with
their application indicated. So, if you do not find a
name you seek in the first part of the book, in the
'Species commentary', look for it in the 'Referred'
chapter. If you do not find it there either, it may mean
that it is a catalogue name with no validity, has not
been validly published, or has been published after the
publication date of this book.

They undoubtedly benefit from being potted on every

two or three years at least, to encourage them to grow
to flowering size that much more quickly, although
age has some relevance in this area, and there are
underpotted plants in some people's collections which
have been virtually dwarfed, producing flowers at
what seems an unnarurally small size - but this is not
to be advocated for best results. Recommendations
for growing them successfully are included in the
chapter on cultivation.
The species included here are mostly those which are
recognized by Nigel Taylor in his review of the genus
published in 1984 in Bradfeya, the yearbook of the

Fig. 2 (opposite page): The tall columns of F cylindraceus

slibsp. leconlei on a steep hillside in eastern Arizona,
USA

Classification
The genu s was set up by Britton and Rose in their
classic work The Cactaceae, pub li shed in four
volumes between 191 9 and 1923. Ferocactus is
covered in volume 3 from page 123 to 147. Of
particular interest are three photographs incl ud ing
people of the time: figure 143 seems to be of a young
boy behind a large clump of F. robustus, which looks
suspiciously like the one featured in this book; figure
153b is a photograph of F. rostii (F cylindraceus)
taken by E. C. Rost, and including a moustachioed,
elderly man, a good foot shofter than the plant,
standing questioningly by it with a pick as if to say
"You don', realJy mean that you want me to dig this
onc out ?".
But the best is one taken by Dr.
MacDougal in 1903 of a man drinking from his
c upped hands liquid obtained from a beheaded
Ferocactus, ill ustrating graphica lly the information in
the text on the previous page, where the reader is
informed that "water is often obtained by travelers in
the great deserts of wes tern Mexico and the
southwestern United States ... by slicing off the top
of a large plant and mashing the pulp".
Britton and Rose's definition of the genus is as
follows:
"Globular to cylind ri c, often large cacti; ribs thick and
prominent; spi nes well developed, either straigh t or
hooked; areoles usually large, beari ng flowers on ly
when young and then only just above the spinecl usters, more or less felted when young; flowers
usually large, broadly fu nne l-shaped to campan ulate,
usually with a very short tube; stamens numerous,
borne o n the throat, short; ovary and flower-tube very
scaly; scales naked in their axils; fru it oblong, usually
thick-walled and dry, dch iscing by a large basal pore;
seeds black, pitted, never tubercul ate; embryo curved.
Type spec ies: Echinocactlls wislizeni Engel mann.
"The generic name is fro m ferus ~ wild, fierce, and
cactus, referring to the very spi ny character of the
plants.
"We recognize 30 species, heretofore treated under
Echinocactus, all from North America . The genus
differs from Echinocactus proper in its fruits and
flowers ."
Thereafter Britton and Rose listed the 30 species in a
key, which in view of subsequent changes we have not

reproduced here. But the list of species originall y

included is of interest, and in alphabetical order (with
the cu rrently accepted name in brackets) is as follows:

F acanthodes (F cylindraceus); F alamosanus;

F chrysacanthwi;
F.
covillei
(F.
emoryi);
F. crassihamalus
(Sclerocactus);
F.
diguetii;
F. echidne; Fjlavovirens; FJordii; F glaucescens; F.
hamatacanthus; F. horridus (F. peninsulae); F.
johnsonii (SclerocactIls); F. latispinlls; F. lecontei (F.
cylindraeeus subsp. Lecontei); F. macrodisC/ls; F.
melocactiformis (F. histrix); F. nobilis (F. recurvus);
F. orcuttii (F. viridescens); F. peninsulae; F. pringlei
(F. piloSllS); F
rectispinu!>' (F emoryi subsp.
reetispinus); F. robustus; F. rostii (F. cylindraceus);
F. santa-maria (F. peninsu/ae subsp. santa-maria);
F. stainesii (F. piloslls); F townsendianus (F
pen insulae subsp. townsel/dian us); F. uncinatus
(Sclerocactus); F viridescens; F. wisLizeni.
The next major work on the gen us was by George
Lindsay, a thesis produced in 1955, but unpublished
until 1996 when it was printed with some textual and
photographi c additions by modern enthusiasts for the
genus. The original work formed the basis for Nigel
Taylor's review of the genus published in 1984 in
Bradleya 2, the yearbook of the British Cactus and
Succulent Society. Gottfried Unger published his
work on this genus and Echinocactus in 1992 entitled
Die grossen Kugelkakteen Nordamerikas, wh ich
contains much information by way of reproduced
material, as well as some original thought on some of
the problem areas in the genus . In its nearly 500 pages
it con tains an incredible amount of information,
reflecti ng the scope that computers have enabled us to
plumb without the slog of the old typewriter days, as
well as nearly 300 co lour photographs , many in
habitat.
The classification we have followed in this book is
basically that set out by Nigel Taylor in his review of
1984, fo llowing the preliminal)' study based on the
morphology of seeds in the previous year's Bradleya
by Taylor and Jonathan Y Clark.

This resulted in the division of the genus into two

Sections, each with two groups as fo ll ows:
Section Feroca ctus

Section Bisnaga

Ripe frui t yellow, rare ly pink, with a thick fleshy wall

but dry inte rior, the seeds generall y escap ing via a pore
formed around the base of the fru it as it becomes
detached; seeds with a broad hilum -micropylar rim,
mostly black, shiny o r du ll , to 3mm long.

Ripe fru it red, pink or purplish, rarely ye llow or

whiti sh, interior very juicy and sweet, not dehiscing
via a basa l pore but so metimes ruptu ri ng near apex and
ex truding seeds in liquid ; seed s with a sharp, narrow
hilu m-micropylar rim, brown to black, very glossy,
mostly [css than 2 mm lo ng.

Type (as for genus): F. wislizeni (Engelm. ) B. & R.

Type: F latispillll.\ (Haw.) B. & R.
F ROBUSTUS GROUP
F GLAUCESCENS GROUP
Sp ines typica ll y numerous (more than 10 per areole)
and often differentiated into, or varying between very
fine, bri stle- like and SlOut. Seeds with tabular to
shall ow o r deeply orchidoid testa-ce ll s, pericl ina l
wall s someti mes verrucose.
Includes: F. chrysacall1llt1s, F. cylindracells, F. fordii,
F. gracilis, F. jolmstoniolltls, F piioSlIS, F. robllstus, F.
peninsulae, F. viridescel1s, F wislizeni.
F POTfS ll GROUP
Sp ines up to 10 per areole, of more or less un iform
thick ness. Seeds with tabul ar-concave testa-cell s.
Incl udes: F. diguetii, F. emoryi, F. lindsay; *, F. pottsii.

Stems caespitose or so li tary, with up to 20 ribs; spines

terete, mo re or less straight. Seeds very smooth with
tabular or very Shallowly orchidoid testa-cell s.
Includes: F. olamosafllls, F. e(:hidne. F flavovirens,
F. glollcescells, F. schwarzii.

F. LAT ISPINUS GROUP

Stems sol itary, somet imes very large; central spines
often flatt ened dorsi-ventrally, straight or curved, or
recurved to hooked at apex. Seeds with tabu larco ncave ('pined ' ) testa-cell s.
Includes: F. haemataccllltiJus, F. hamatacanthus, F.
histrix, F. fafispillllS, F. macrodiscus, F. recurvus** .

T his book contains five ncw combinations;

On page 82:
FerocacttlS pel/insulae subsp. santa-maria stat. nov.
On page 83 :
Ferocactus peninsulae subsp. townsendianus stat.
nov.
On page 9 1:
Ferocacllls recllrvus subsp. greenwoodii stat. nov.
On page 103:
Ferocatlls wislizelli subsp. herrerae stat. nov.
On page 105:
Ferocacw s wisJizeni subsp. tiburollensis stat. nov.

Placed here in 1987 (8 nuJleya 5); previously misplaced

Regarded by Taylor liS /.: latispifJus subsp. spiralis

Ferocactus fruits
As indicated in the classification above the fruit forms
an easily observed basis for dividing the genus into the
two sections.

In the wild ants are often seen busy around the fruits,
as well as laking the nectar exuded by the glands

above the areoles of many species, and they seem to

be favourite for carrying the seeds off to pastures new,

In Section Ferocactus the ripe fruit is yellow, rarely

pink, with a thick tleshy wall but dry interior, the
seeds usually escaping through a small hole at the
base of the fruit.
In the Section Bisnaga the ripe fruit is red, pink or
purplish, rarely yellow or whitish, the interior very
juicy and sweet, not dehiscing by a basal pore but
sometimes rupturing near the apex and extruding
seeds in liquid.

if not too distant. The sweet liquid jelly exuded by

those in the Section Bisnaga we suspect attracts birds
or other larger creatures, who likewise then carry off
the seeds in the sticky mass either internally or
perhaps externally too .
The accompanying photographs of some of the fruits
show what an attractjve addition they are to the
appearance of the plants after their usually sumptuous
flower display.

Key to the species

This is modified by Nigel Taylor from that in hi s review of the gen us in Bradleya 2, pages 19-20 (1984), taking
into account hi s later notes in Brad/eya 5 (1987), pages 95-96, relating to F. lindsay; and F. pitoslls.

1. SIems highly branched , formin g large clusters or mo unds more than 2m diameter; ste ms less than 25cm
diameter, w ith 8 to 13(- 15) ribs; spi nes more than 13 per areole; seeds with tabu lar rcsla-cells, not pitted
(Mexico, south-cast Puebla to north Oaxaca)

.2

I. Stem so litary or, if clustered, then either stems, ribs, spines or seeds not as above.

. .............. 3

.... F. flavovircns

2. Flowers and fruits red ; stem ribs (1 1-)13(-15)

........... F. robustus

2 . Flowers and fruit s yellow; stem ribs 8

3. Spines 1- 11 per areole, straight or s lightl y c urved , none strong ly flallened above or recurved to hooked at
....... ...... . . . . .
.....................A

3. Spi nes more than II per areole or at least one strongly flatt e ned and/or recurved to hooked at apex , or stern
ribs 13-16 and spiralled

.........................

............

4. Seeds smooth o r with retic ulate marking, but not pitied

. .. 15
..... 5

......... . . . . ...... 8

4. Seeds pitted .......... .

5. Spines [-6(-8), more or less equal , to 2.5(-5.5)cm lo ng; stems 15-50(-60)cm diame te r

... 6

5. Spines usua ll y more than 7, unequal , the central longer, 3- IOcm ; stems to 25 (-30)cm diameter

... 7

.. F. glaucescens

6. Stem glaucous; seeds very smooth (east Mexico) .....

6. Stcm dark green, seeds with a reticulate patte rn of raised testa-cell marg in s (west
Mexico, Sinaloa) . . .... ................. . .
.... F. schwarzii
7. Areo les well separated on the ribs, 2-4c m apart; ste ms often clu stered; sti gmas 10- 14 (east Mexico)

........

. .. .. ... F. echidne

7. Areoles about Icm apart or more or less con nuent on the ribs; ste m solitary; st igmas about 7 (west Mexico)

... F. alamosanus
8. Fruit red 10 purple, indehiscent, and/or very juicy and deliquescent; ribs acute; ste m
not exceedin g 1.2m hi gh . . . . . . . .

. ................. .9

8. Fruit yellow or dehiscing by a basal pore; ribs obtuse or acute; stem 30cm to 4m
high

...............

.. ...... ...... . 11

9. Flowe rs yell ow; seed about 1mm ..

.. F. histrix

9. Flowers red to purplish-pink; seed about 1.8 to 2 mrn

. ....... 10

10. Stem globular to cylindric, 30-l20cm high; flower 6-7em long

...F. haematacanthus

to. Stem depressed-globose, disc-shaped, to about lOem high; flower 3-4cm long
...........

........

II. Central spine I per areole, conspicuous

11. Central spines 4 or not distinct from radials; seeds 1.5-2mm .......... .

. ........ F. macrodiscus
............. 12
. ................ 14
...F. lindsayi

12. Fruit red; seed 1mm, elongate-curved (Michoacan)

12. Fruit yellow; seed 2-3mm, ovoid (north-west Mexico, south-west USA) ........ .

. ... 13

13. Flower to 4.5cm long; stem to 1m high (Mexico, south-west Chihuahua, south-east Sonora, north Sinaloa)
..........
............
..............
. ... F. pottsii
13. Flower 6-7.5cm long; stem to 2.5m high (USA, south Arizona to Mexico, north Sinaloa, mainland Baja
California Sur) . . . . . . . . . . .
. ..............................F. emoryi
14. Stem ribs about 13-20; spines usually red, some more or less flattened or angled,
hairlike whitish spines often present; stems often in clumps (central northern Mexico)

.F. pilosus
14. Stem ribs 25-35; spines clear yellow, rarely reddish-brown, terete, all of one type;
. ......... F. diguetii
stem solitary (islands on west side of Gulf of California) ......
15. Scales on receptacle-tube and fruit with long narrowly attenuate apices (central north and south Mexico)
. . . . . . .. ........
........
. . . . . . . . . . . . *F. latispinus
15. Scales not

a~

..... 16

above

16. Fruit pinkish-red and indehiscent, and/or very juicy, deliquescent, releasing the
seeds in fluid. . . . .
. ...... .
16. Fruit yellow or dehiscing by a basal pore when fully ripe.
17. Spines straight or curved but not hooked at apex; flower 3-4cm, short-tubed

. ... 17

. ................ 19
.............. 18

17. At least one spine per areole hooked at apex; flower 6-lOcm, with a long tube

..F. hamatacanthus
18. Plowers purplish-pink to red, tepals with paler margins: seeds to 2mm
.. F. macrodiscus

18. Flowers yellow; seeds ahout 1mm

.......... F. histrix

19. Radial spines 7-9 per areole, terete, only slightly thinner than the solitary terete or laterally compressed
central
........
.................. ............................
.F. emoryi
19. Radial spines more than 9 or at least some much thinner than the one or more centrals ............ .20

*Includes F. recurvus, regarded by Taylor as F. IOlispinus subsp. spiralis

10

20. Perianth-scgmcnts remaining more or less erect at anthesis; flowers to 2.5crn diameter; stems
often clustering, to 3m high; principal spines 6-12, none curved or hooked at apex, often
accompanied by very fine hair-like radials (central north Mexico) .................. F. pilosus
20. Perianth-segments spreading; flowers 3 .S-bcrn diameter, stems rarely clustering; spines not
as above or centrals and radials intergrading (north-west Mexico and USA)
. . .. .. . .. . .. 21
21. Flowers violet-purple to mac (Mexico, west coast of Baja California. Bahia Sebastian Viscaino to
ahout 31 N) .......................................................................F. fordii
0

21. Flowers green, yellow, orange or red

........................................... ll

22. Spines clearly differentiated into stout dark coloured centrals plus upper and
lower radials, and finer whitish laterally directed radials, or the latter absent, and
seeds with tabular testa-cells ..................................................... 23
22. Spines in each areole intergrading in size and colour; seeds with concave
testa-cells
.......................................... 25
23. Largest of the upward and downward directed central spines equally flattened and similar. curved but not
normally hooked at apex, or fruits to 7.5cm long; tlowers red (Mexico, Baja California 28-31" N)
.................................... F. gracilis
23. Largest central spine more flattened than the others or otherwise dissimilar, often strongly recurved or
hooked; flowers red to yellow; fruits to 6cm long ...................
. ............... 24
24. Seeds with tabular, finely verrucose, more or less isodiametric testa-cells, the
raised anticlinal walls at the margin of each cell not prominent (south-west USA;
.......... .
Mexico, Chihuahua, Sonora, north Sinaloa, west Durango)

.F. wislizeni

24. Seeds with tabular to concave, coarsely verrucose testa-cells, the verrucae few and
separate, the raised cell margins prominent. or the cells oblong (Mexico, Baja
. ........... F. peninsulae
California, Baja California Sur, from 29 N to the Cape) ....
25. Flowers greenish; spines to Scm long; seed about 1.5mm (Mexico, north-west Baja California west of
Sierra San Pedro, Sierra Martir and Sierra Juarez; USA, California near San Diego)
... F. viridescens
25. Flowers yellow, orange or reddish, or green but with other colours in (he same population; spines to S-17cm
long; seeds about 2-3mm . . . . . .
. .. 26
26. Central and radial spines more or less equal in number (10), the former mostly porrect, to Scm
long, twisted flattened and fairly uniform, or flowers orange to red with 4-5mm wide inner
perianth-segments (Mexico, west Baja California, below Punta Abreojos to Isla Cedros)
..........
.............
. ...................... F. cbrysacanthus
26. Central spines fewer than radials and 4 of the fonner much larger than the others, to 7-17cm
long, or central spines more or less adpressed or not differentiated from radial spines; inner
perianth-segments 7-11mm wide (Mexico, east and north-west Baja California, north-west
Sonora; south-west USA) ........................................... **F. cylindraceus

"''''Includes f:johnstonianus. regarded by Taylor as probably a disjunct island relation of F. cylindraceu.\

ii

Cultivation
Like all cacti in cultivation Ferocactus need plenty of
light, watering in the growing period, repotting
(especially in the early years of their growth), protection
from frost and excessive wetting in less kind climates,
and provision of sufficient nutrients (0 enable growth to
be slowly but steadily achieved. The usual precautions
against attack from the various pests also need to be
taken, although they are themselves well equipped to
resist attack from domestic animals, including their
owners. What follows is a guide mainly directed to
growers in the United Kingdom; readers in other
countries will hopefully have developed their own ways
of keeping their plants in their particular climatic
conditions.

Light
Light is, as with most cacti, essential for healthy growth,
and in the summer months these plants more than many
cacti benefit from being in the open air to maximize the
amount of sunlight they receive. Certainly in habitat in
the southern USA and Mexico they are sun-seeking,
growing out in the open and taking all the sunshine they
get with equanimity. In the UK this largely solves the
problem of sooty mould forming on the sugary secretion
these plants make from glands above the areoles, of
which more below. If kept continuously in a glasshouse
shading is unnecessary, but air circulation in sunny
weather should be maintained to prevent the plant'>
scorching through too much heat in confined conditions,
especially if they are close to the glass. From early
spring onwards it is important that the plants receive the
maximum light. To this end the glass should be cleaned
and any winter protection by way of plastic should be
removed.

growing to swell the plants and let them know that the
time has come for growth. Allow the plants to dry out
before watering again - the time this takes will depend
on the size of pOlS the individual plants are in, varying
from a week or two for pots below about lOem in
diameter, to as much as a month for larger pots. As the
spring gives way to summer watering can be increased,
and once danger of night frost is past the plants may be
stood outside the glasshouse. Protection will be
necessary from slugs and snails, which will relish this
exotic change of diet, spines or not. The wool on the
areoles, when plants are kept outside, does tend to lose
its colour and become greyish and, if there is excessive
rain (not uncommon in the UK), nutrients are quickJy
leached from the pots. In this case, repouing in the
winter following is advised. As summer comes to an
end, reduce the frequency of watering, and bring the
plants inside the glasshouse as soon as there is danger of
fTost. Water should be withheld from large pots (2Ocm
or more) from the end of September to give them time
to dry off completely before the late autumn, smaller
plants can be watered until about the end of October.

Feeding
Fertilizers with a high potash content may be used
during the growing period at full strength recommended
recommended
for
tomatoes,
(any
fertilizer
chrysanthemums or roses is fine); this will promote
good growth of spines as well as the plants, and will
encourage flowering. It makes sense to give the fertilizer
mixture a day or two after a general watering when the
plants' roots are in active growth, so that the maximum
uptake of the nutrients is achieved; this secondary
fertilizer dosing can then be less in quantity as well as
more effective

Watering
Compost
Watering depends on the individual grower's conditions
where the plants are kept, but should broadly follow that
recommended for most other cacti. This means none in
the cold winter months, to allow the plants to indulge in
the rest period for which they are well adapted, and to
avoid any inclination to grow when light is at a low
level, which will result in soft, uncharacteristic growth
and weak spine development, if not their demise from
the combination of low temperatures and dampness.
One good watering on the first really sunny day in early
spring will wake the plants up and get the hair roots

12

The potting medium is a vexed subject, and if the reader

has a mixture which suits his plants then the advice is
stick to it, and experiment carefully with any changes
adopted. A compost based on soil, preferably with a
clay-like appearance seems to give good results, with the
addition of small particle grit to open the mixture and
facilitate drainage; two parts of compost to one of grit
seems to be about right.

Repotting
Moving the plants on into the next sized pot in the first
few years will encourage them to develop quickly. E ven
when they are in pots exceeding IScm they wi ll benefit
from such repon ing every 2 or 3 years as the soil will
have exhausted any nutrients, and the humus content will
have broken down and reduced the ability to hold water,
to the detriment of the plant. The common sense time to
repol seems 10 be, as for most plants, when they are
resting in the winter, so that any damage to the roots is
given time \0 callus before being in contact with water in
the soil. Use a dl)'ish mixture when reponing, and
withhold water for at least 2 or 3 weeks afterwards. Topdressing the compost with a layer of grit not only
improves the appearance of the polted plant but slows
down the transpiration of water from the compost during
the growing period as well as preventing mud splashes
on the plants when watering, or the fonnation of mosses
and algae on the surface. As w ith most very spiny plants,
and this certainly appl ies to all species of Ferocacllls, we
have found that a thick c ushion of several layers of either
crumpled newspaper or. better, bubble polythene on the
work surface enables carefu lly laying the plant down
sideways on this cushion, and then tipping out the plant
sideways from the pot by knocking the pot away with
sharp taps on the rim . The root ball can then be grasped
10 lift the plant into position in the new pot, which shou ld
have sufficient depth of compost in the bottom already to
keep the plant more or less at it.s previous level, followed
by carefully and gen tl y tamping fresh compost around
the rootball. In Lhis way neither the plant's spi nes are
damaged, nor, if you are careful, do you have 10 come
into contact with the spines.

Temperature
Most species will be happy with a minimum winter
temperature of 5C. but some w il l do better and be less
likely to suffer cold damage if IIJ'C can be provided.
This particularly seems 10 apply to F. iatispinlls, F.
reel/rvlls, F. roblls/lls and F.j1avovi rells. Having said that,
there are growers in the UK who provide no heat, drying
the plants off at the latest by mid-September, and their
plants seem not to suffer at all , but in these circumstances
it is advisable to keep the air moving in the glasshouse
by means of a fan.

Pests
The usual pests of cacti, mealy bug and red spider mite,
will attack your Feroeaetlls plants given a chance. A bad
infestation of either is best treated w ith a systemic
insecticide, thorough ly drenching the plants to ensure

maxi mum effect. But if your collection is relatively

cle.m. and only sl ightly affected by an advance party of
either pest, then a contact insecticide w ill keep them at
bay. Constant inspection fo r early signs of attack is
advisable to avert serious damage by these insidious
pests. If us ing a ny insecticide do remember that they arc
dangerous chemicals. and full precautions to avoid skin
contact or inhalation of the vapour from them should be
rigorous ly followed. Leave the glasshouse for several
hours at least after their use, and wash face a nd hands
and any other exposed skin.
Predators are fashio nable at present for pest control , but
that is all they wi ll do, controllhem, they do not usually
eradicate them completely and have the disadvantage of
needing for their survival warmer conditions in the
winter than usually economically possible to provide.

Sooty mould
Most spec ies of FerocaclIIs bear a gland at the top of
each areole, which exudes nectar. If the nectar is aJlowed
to remain on the plant a mould will fonn, the fruiting
parts of which form an unsightly black coaling around
the areole. as well as the spi nes and body of the plant,
wherever the nectar is present, spoiling the appearance of
the plant. Once formed this mould is very difficult to
remove. One way of prevention is to spray regularly
with water (preferab ly rainwater as this leaves no
residue), so that the nectar is constantl y washed away as
fast as it is produced.
Another method of combating the formation of sooty
mould is to encourage sufficient ants, bees. hover-flies or
wasps to the g lasshouse. which all love to sup the nectar.
Unfortunately this marshall ing of insect help is not very
easy to achieve, and there are some disadvantages in
introducing the most effective of these, the ants.
In the su mmer months the plants can with some
advantage be placed outside, so that they are more
accessible to these benefic ial insects and subject to
occasional waS hing from our inevi table summer
showers, but it is left 10 the reader to decide which
method could be most effective in his or her situation
bearing in mind the rema rks above in the paragraph
about watering. Plants placed outside in the UK are
subject La scorch unless gradualJy acclimatized to the
extra light , and a position g iving some dappled shade for
at least part of the day is adv isable.
Finally let liS reiterate the advice given at the beginning
of this c hapter: if you have found methods of growing
your plants which work carry on using them.

13

Map of distribution area

~Bahamas

Haiti

Salvador

Key to Shllcs of the U.S.A.

I.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

California

Nevada
Utah
Colorado
Arizona

New Mexico
Texas
Oklahoma
Key to Mexican states

9.

10.
II.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

L
14

Baja California
Baja California Sur
Sonora

Chihuahua
Coahuila
Sinaloa
Durango
Nuevo Leon

Tamaulipas

18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
3 1.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
39.

Zacatecas
Nayarit
San Luis PotOSI
Aguascalientes
Jali sco

Guanajuato
Queretaro
Hidalgo
Vemcruz

Colima
Michoadn

M6xico
Tlaxcala
Pucbla
Morclos
Guerrero

Oaxaca
Chiapas
Tabasco
Yucatan
Quintana Roo

Geography and Distribution

As well as the more obvious tall , columnar cacti ,
Feroc(lctlls species throughout the ir di stribution in the
southern Uni ted States and in Mexico are often among
the most prominent cacti in the wild, and are often
indicalOrs of a kindly cactu s habitat, where mher,
smalle r ge ne ra might be found.
They are mostly found in roc ky terrain, although some
do occur al so on the flaL. They are in general not high

alt itude plants, seeming to prefer the lower slopes,

USA

--------

ARIZONA: F. cylindracew; (60-6oom), F. cylil/droceus

subsp. eostwoodiae (390-1 , 140m), F. cylindraceus
subsp. fecol/tei (300- 1,500m) , F emoryi, F. wislizelli
CALIFORNIA : F. cylilldraceus (60-600m), F. cylilu/racelis subsp . lecolltei (300- I ,500m), F. viridescells
NEVADA: F. cylilldracells subsp. lecolllei (300- I,500m)

rather than upper reaches of the mountains w here they

occu r, although some are found at quite high altitudes.

oftcn as out liers of more abundant occurre nce at lower
leve ls. Alfred Lall 's highest recorded altitude for any
species is 2, 1OOm - F. piloslIs in Coahuila, closely
follow ed by F. alamOSQI111S subs p. reppenhagenii, at
1,500 to 2,OOOm, most other species recorded at
altitudes fro m sea level to abou t I,OOOm. Werner
Reppenhagen records F. /atispinlls at up to 2,5OOm in
Hidalgo and F. recurvus in Pue bla at the same a ltitude.
F /atispilltls occu rs also at 2,3OOm in San Lui s Potosf
and in Mexico D.E, and at 2,400m in Guanajuato, the
same species and F. histrix at up to 2,100m in
Queretaro, F. histrix and F. echidlle and F. glallcescens
in Hidal go at 1,500 to 1,900m ; also F. histrix in
Zacatecas at nearly 2,OOOm. He also records F.
robust/IS al2, Ioom in Puebla , F.J1avovirens in Puebla
at 1,900m. F. recllrvlls in Oaxaca at 1,600m, F.
alamosan lls s ubsp. reppenhagenii al 2,OOOm 10
2,300m in Michoacan and in Co lima at 1,200m,
F. piiostls in Durango at 1,700m, and F. macrodiscus
at 2,300111 in Oaxaca. Most o the r species occur from
almost sea- level to about 1,500m.
The maps accompany ing each taxon in the chapter
'Species commentary ' are based on reliable reported
locali ties ror these plants and the authors' own
observatio ns. They give an approx imate idea of the
spread of each taxon, a nd arc by no means precise .
(Altitudes arc those li sted by Alfred Lall and Werner
Rc ppe nhagen, and recorded by Ni gel Taylor)

NEW MEXICO: F. hamlltllcllntlws, F. wislizelli

T EXAS : F. hamatacallthllS, F. hamatacallthus subsp.
Sif/llalllS, F. wisJizelli
UTAH: F. cylilu/racells subsp. /ecolltei

MEXICO
AGUASCALIENTES: F. histrix (2, 100m), F. /mispitws
BAJA CALIFORNIA and BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR
mainland: f: chrysac{lfItlllls subsp . grandij10rtls ( 1200m), F. cylilldraceus (3 00m) , F. cylil/draceus
s ubs p. tortlifispilll/S (600111). F. emoryi su bs p.
rectispillllS ( 1- 1,600m),
F.
fordii
( 1-50m),
F. fordii subsp. borealis ( I- 100m) F. gracili.5 (20300m), F. gracilis subsp. c%mttls ( IO- IOOm),
F. pel/insulae (I 00-400m), F. pel/insulae subsp. sall1amario ( 1- 10m), F. peniflst/ fo e subsp. townsel/dial/lis
( IOO-450m), F. viridescens (10-400m), F. viridescens
subsp . littoralis (800- I ,OOOm )
BAJA C ALIFORNIA is lands: F. chrysacallflllls ( 1-500m),
F. chrysacallfllfls s ubs p. grandij10rlls (I-200m ),
F. diguetii ( 10-30001), F. fordii (I -10m), F. gracilis
subsp. gatesii ( I- 150m). F. jO/lllstonianlls ( I-300m),
F. pen insulae s ubsp. towmelldialllls, F. wislizelli
sllbsp. tibllronef1Sis (10-200m)
CAM PECHE: none recorded
CH1APAS: none recorded
CHIHUAHUA: F. alamosallllS, F. hamarac{lfllhus
(l ,500m), F. poftsii (I, 150-1.200m), F. wislizelli
( 1,000- 1,750m)

15

Roo: none recorded

QUINTANA
COAIIIJlLA: F. hamatacanthus (650-1 ,900m), F. hamatacanthus subsp. sinuatus, F. pilosus (1,250-2,lOOm)

F. alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii (1,200-

COLIMA:

2,OOOm)
F. hamatacanthus (I,650m), F. histrix,
F.latispinus. F. pilosus (I,700m), F pottsii. F. wislizeni
subsp. herrerae (to J,400m)

DURANGO:

F. echidne, F. histrix (2,OOO-2,300m),

F. latispinus (I ,800-2,400m), F. macrodiscus subsp.
septentrionalis (2,OOO-2,350m)
GUANAJUATO:

GUERRERO:

none recorded

F. echidne (1,300-1,700m), f: glaucescens

(I,450-2,300m), F. histrix (l,500-2,OOOm), F. latispinus (J,500-2,500m)

SAN LUIS Parosi: F. echidne (l,IOO-l,600m), F. glaucescens (1,600m), F. hamatacanthus (I,550-2,OOOm),

F. hamatacanthus. F. histrix (l,SSO-2,300m), F. latispinus (l,550-2,300m), F. macrodiscus subsp. septentrionalis, F. pilosus (1,200-2, I OOm)

F. alamosanus, F. emory; (1-900m),

F. pottsii, F. schwarzii (30-300m), F. wislizeni,
F. wislizeni subsp. herrerae (30-200m)
SINALOA:

SONORA: F. alamosanus (350-1 ,300m), F. cylindraceus

(I-200m), F. cylindraceus subsp. Jecontei, F. emoryi
(S-300m), F. pot/sii (I,800m), F. wislizeni (40-IOOm),
F. wislizeni subsp. herrerae (I 0-650m)

HIDALGO:

JALISCO:

F. histrix (2, 100m), F. latispinus

MEXICO: F.

TABASCO: nonc recorded

TAMAULIPAS: F. echidne (500-2,OOOm), F. hamatacanthus (I,300m), F. hamatacanthus subsp. sinuatus
(1,200-1 ,300m), F. pilosas

latispinus
TLAXCALA:

none recorded

VERACRUZ:

F. haematacanthus (2,OOOm)

MEXICO DF: F. latlspinas (2,300-2,4S0m)

MIC'HOACAN: F alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii
(2,OOO~2,300m), F latijpinus, F. lindsayi (250-300m)
MORELOS: F.
NAYARIT:

latispinus

none recorded

LEON: F. echidne, F. hamatacanthus (SO1,450m), F. hamatacanthus subsp. sinuatus (350384m), F. pi/osas (1,300-1 ,900m)

NUEVO

OAXACA:
F. alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii
(l,500m), F. flavovirens, F. latispinus (1,800m),
F. macrodiscus (I,700-2,500m), F. recurvus (5002,440m), F. recun'us subsp. greenwoodii (l,400m),
F. robuslUS

F. flavovirens (1,600-1 ,900m), F. haematacanthus (l,750m), F. hamatacanthus (2,300m), F. latispinus, F. macrodiscus subsp macrodiscus (?), F.
recurvus (1,100-2,500m), F. robustus (1,500-2,1 OOm)

PUEBLA:

QUERETARO: F. echidne (700-1 ,400m), f: glaucescens

(I,OOO-I,800m), F. histrix (l,200-2,2S0m), F. latispinus (l,800-2,100m), F. macrodiscus subsp.
septentrionalis

16

YUCATAN:

none recorded

ZACATECAS: F. hamatacanthus (2,150m), F. histrix

(l,950-2,2S0m), f: iatispinus (2,2S0-2,300m), F. pi/osus (2,400m)

Checklist of species
F alamosanus

p19

F. hamatacanthus subsp. sinuatus

p63

F alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii

p20

F. histrix

p65

F. chrysacanthus

p22

F. johnstonianus

p67

F chrysacanthus subsp. grandiflorus

p24

F. latispinlls

p69

F. cylindraceus

p26

F. lindsayi

p72

F. cylindraceus subsp. eastwoodiae

p30

F. macrodiscus

p75

F. cylindraceus subsp. Lecontei

p32

F. macrodisClis subsp. septentrionalis

p77

F. cyfindraceus subsp. tortulispinus

p34

F peninsuiae

p78

F. diguctii

p36

F peninsuiae

F echidne

p39

F. pen insulae subsp. townsendiallus

p82

F. emoryi

p41

F pilosus

p84

F. emoryi subsp. rectispinus

p43

F. pottsii

p87

F. jlavovirens

p45

F. recurvus

p89

F. fordi;

p47

F. recurvus subsp. greenwoodii

p90

F fordii subsp. borealis

p49

F. robustus

p92

F glaucescens

p51

F. schwarzii

p94

F gracilis

p53

F. viridescens

p96

F. gracilis subsp. coloratus

p55

F viridescens subsp. littoralis

p98

F. gracilis subsp. gatesii

p57

F. wislizeni

plOO

F. hoematacanthus

p59

F wislizeni subsp. herrerae

pl02

F. hamatacanthus

p62

F wislizeni subsp. tiburonensis

p104

subsp. santa-maria

p81

17

~ecies

commentary.__

The descriptions in this chapter take as their starting

point Britton & Rose's major four~volume work, The
Cactaceae, published, as far as this genus is
concerned in 1922 (volume 3), in which the genus was
set up, and 1923 (volume 4) which includes
amendments and the description of F jolinsfonianlls.
Before this, descriptions and references (mainly as
Echinocacllls) were sparse, and these two pioneers of
the modern printed word on cacti, gathered together in
the 1,000 pages of this incredible production all that
had been hitherto published, ably amplified with the
benefit of the cactus exploration which had been
proceeding apace in the latter half of the 19th and
early 20th centuries.
We have also taken account of Backeberg's
monumental 6 volume work (over 4,000 pages) Die
Cactaceae,
as
well
as
Helia
Bravo's
3 volume Las Cactaceas de Mexico , now available to
students of these and other Mexican plants, and of
course Lindsay's recently published (in 1996) doctoral
thesis of 1955. Other sources of information include
Benson 's Cacti of the United States and Canada
(1982); the Cactus and Succulent Journal of America,
published since the early 1930s and including many
references and detailed accounts of explorations in the

18

field of these plants; Nigel Taylor's papers on this

genus published in Bradleya, the yearbook of the
British Cactus & Succulent Society, volume I (with
Jonathan Clark), 1983, volume 2, 1984, and volume 5,
1987. We have also referred to the invaluable book by
Gottfried Unger on the globular cacti of North
America, Die grossen Kugelkakteen Nordamerikas,
published in 1992, and embracing Echinocactus as
well as Femcactus; this book of nearly 500 pages
includes a fund of detail by way of descriptions and
references, as well as a considerable contribution from
the author's wide-ranging studies in the field. Lastly
we have included Ted Anderson's thoughts on the
acceptance of taxa, as included in his major work, The
Cactus Family; these are based on the deliberations of
the International Cactaceae Systematics Group of the
International Organization for Succulent Plant Study
(lOS). Also of interest are the two books by Franziska
and Richard Wolf, Baja California und seine Inseln
(1999) and Die Ferokakteen der Baja California
(2004).

Fig. 4: F emoryi subsp. emoryi staging its stunning

flower display during August in the Maricopa
Mountains , Arizona, USA

Ferocactus alamosanus
This beautiful spec ies (both the type and subsp.
reppelJhagellii) grows well in cu ltivation, and flowers
when quite small, at abollt 15 to 20cm in diameter, but
this could lake 10 to 15 years from seed to achieve as
the rate of growth is fairly slow.
F. alamosolllts was listed in Taylor's revi sion of 1984
as a variety of F. poltsii, following Unger's reduction
in 197 J, but in the latest listing of the CITES
Cac/(Iceae Checklist (1999) it is included as a good
species, and F. reppenJwgenii is listed as a subspecies
hereunder, having previously been so reduced by

Nigel Taylor in 1998. The more southerly occu rring

subsp. reppenhagellii bears a marked resemblance to
F. alamosa nilS, and its reduction here makes good
se nse, ex tending the range of this species
considerably.

Ferocactus alamosanus
subsp. alamosanus
This, the type, is a mllch
sma ller growing plant than F.
potrsii (w ith which it has
previously been coup led),
with morc ribs than that
species in youth, and it is a
much more spiny plant
altogether, and with a quite
different aspect. It s main
feature is the striking, straight, ye ll ow spines sticking
out protectively like a sea-urch in, and because of these
it is difficult to handle when repouing without damage
to the spines or for that maUer yourself. See the
advice on reponing these spiny plants in the chapter
on cultivation.
It wa s described as having a soli tary stem or
sometimes clustering, to 30cm or more tall, half to
two-thirds as wide, at fi rst with about 13 ribs, later to
about 20 narrow, acute ribs. Spination is all yellow,
red at the base in youth, radial spines usually about 10,
seldom II or only 8 or 9,3 to 4cm long, later to Scm.
There is a sing le central spine, porrect or erect,
somewhat nattened laterally, to about 6cm long.
Flowers are clear lemon yellow, the outer segments
green ish-red at the tips. Fruit is bright red. Seed has
not been described hithel1o, but we can affirm that it is
aboul 1.8mm long, smooth, shiny black.

Fig. 5: F.

alamOS(lIlIlS

subsp.

(lIWnOmlllls,

flowering in

cultivation in the USA

Reponed from Ihe Mexican slates of CHIHUAHUA,
SONORA, SINALOA; spec ifically from SONORA, high up
in the Alamos Mountains, Cieneg ita, Black Canyon at
Guirocoba Ranch , east of Alamos, San Pedro, east of
Alamos; from SINALOA, EI Saucito and Pitayitas, on
the road from Badirahualo to Hidalgo del Parral,
CHIHUAHUA; mostly on high vertical rocks, al 350I,300m altitude.
Field colleclion numbers referred here are: holot ype,
Rose. Standley & Ru ssell 12850 (US 535974);
Lindsay without no. (OS); Lau 80, 1202;
Reppenhagen 564, 21 09a, 21 12a.
Synonyms: Echinocaclus alamosoflus, F pow'ii var.
alamosafills

Section Bisnaga; F glaucescens Group

19

References:

FerocacIlis afamosanus (Britton and Rose) Britton &

Rose, The Caet. 3: 137Jig.145 (1922); I.e., COn/rib.
US. Nat. Herb. 16:23,pi.66 (1913) - as Echillocactus;
Unget; Kakt.ll.a.Sllkk. 22(10):187 (1971) - as F:
pottsii I'ar. alamosanllS; G. Lyons, Cael. Suee. 1. (US)
40(4): 138139,jigs. 1,2 (1968); N. P. Taylor, Bradleyo
2:36 (1984) - as F pOllsii var. alalllosmllls; Unger,
Die grosse" Kligelkakt. Norc/amer. 254 (1992) - as
F. pottsii var. alamosanus; Lindsay, Ferocaclus 123126, 139, 438 (1996) (1955 thesi.', unpublished at the
time); Taylor in Hunt (ed.), Cae!. Consensll s
Initiatives 6:15 (1998); HUllt (ed.), CITES Cael.
Checklist 204 (1999); E. F Anc/erson, The Cactus
Family 327 (2001)

Ferocactus alamosa nus

subsp. reppenhagenii
As already mentioned, th e
similarit y between thi s and the
type is marked, and Taylor's
recent amalgamation of the
two forme rly separate species
is irrefutable; we just wish we
had thought of it first.
This subspecies has been said
to bear a superfic ial resemblance to Eehinocaclus
grltsoll;;, with the central spines pointing upwards
instead of downwards , but few e nthu siasts for
FerocacfIIs are likely to con fu se the two. It will fl ower
at onl y about IOcm in diameter in cultivation, and this
will immediately distinguish it from E. gruson ii, if
there were any doubt, the latter rarely flowering at less
than 60cm. The flowers if pollinated are followed by
prominent, attractively coloured fruit , bright red when
ripe. It is not yet widespread in culti vation, but
seed lings have been available for those who seek out
things new, and plants in cu lti vation raised from seed
are more and more common ly seen. Flowering as it
does at a small size its popularity is assured.

It was desc ribed as SOlitary, depressed-globose ,

columnar in age, to 80cm tall , 9 to 24cm in diameter,
with 12 to 18 ribs. There are 7 to 9 radial spines,
somet imes only 6 or up to II, II to 40mm long,
ye llow late r grey. There is one ce ntra l spine,
somewhat curved al the tip, 2Smm 10 SOmm long.
yellow, reddish-brown at the basco Flowers are yellow
to orange, 23mm long and wide, with yel low stigmas.
Fruit is ovoid, bright to dark red , 15 to 22 mm long, 8
to 17mm in diameter, j ui cy. Seed is 2 to 2.3mm long ,
reddi sh-brown to black, matt, very smooth.
20

Reported from the Mexi can states of MICHOACAN,

COLI MA, and OAXACA, on south-east and sou th-west
faci ng slopes; type fro m MICHOACAN, Sabino near Dos
Ag uas, south-west of Apatzingan, at 2,300m altitude;
also from MICHOACAN, Cerro Laurel, Coaicoman, at
2,OOOm alt itude; from COLIM A, Pueblo Nuevo, Cerro
Barrigon, north-west of Ciudad Colima near Rancho
Tecwm, at 2,(X)()m; from OAXACA, at Yosundua, at
1,500m alti tude.
Field collection numbers referred here are: type,
Reppenhagen & Pri ess nit z, without no. (2SS); Lau
765, 1412; Rep. 662, 664, 670a, 720d, 746a.
Sy nonym: F reppenhagen ii
Section Bisnaga F. glaucescens Group
References:

Ferocactus alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii (G.

Unger) N. P. TaylOf; Caet. Cons. Inil. 6:16 (1998); G.
Unger, Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 25(3):5054, (1974); S6l1chez
Mejorad(l, Coct. Sue. Mex. 25(3):66 (1980); N. P.
Taylor. Bradleya 2:23 (1984); Unger, Die grossell
Kllgelkakt. Norc/alller. 407 (1992); Lindsay,
Feroeactus 110, 325, 441 (1996) (1955 thesis,
IIfIpublished al the lime); Unger, Kakl. u. a. Sllkk.
50( /!): (207) Karl. 1999119 (1999); . F: Alldersoll,
The Cactas Family 327 (2001)

Fig. 6: F aiamosantlS subsp. reppellhagenii in cultivation

in the UK, nowering at about 15cm dia.

Fig. 7 (opposite page):

F. alamos(llIus subsp reppenlwgellii in Michoacan , Mexico

21

Ferocactus chrysacanthus
- In the CITES Cacraceae Checklist (1999) Nigel Taylor
took the bull by the horns and placed the controversial
F. fordii var. grandiflorus under this species as a
subspecies, which in view of its completely different
habit from F.Jordii, principally its much larger growth
and orange flowers, also close proximity to F.
chrysacanrhlls (albeit with some sea between them),
makes good sense. Unger in his book was of the
opinion that it was a hybrid between F. fordii and F.
chrysacanrhlls, but in a piece on this species in the
German Society's journal (February 2000) he
noticeably has dropped the 'X', giving it species
slatus. We were a little discomfited by photographs in
the Wolfs' book showing plants on Isla Natividad,
midway between the occurrence of subsp.
grandiflorus on the mainland of Baja California and
Isla Cedros (the locality of subsp. chrysacanthus)
showing distinctly purple flowers, not as Lindsay
reported from this island as "red or orange". The
Wolfs captioned these as F x grandijlorus, but our
feeling was that they seemed to owe more to F.fordii;
this seems 10 be backed up by Unger, who repotts F
fordii from Isla Natividad. In their 2004 book the
Wolfs captioned these plants as F. fordii confirming
our opinion.
We are content to go along with Taylor's classification
as a subspecies, since from a collector's viewpoint
these plants are distinctive, and seem to have come

true from seed in cultivation showing no throw-back

10 indicate hybrid origins.
There is room for some controlled pollination
experiments here to determine the relationships or
standing of these taxa, but this would be a very long
term project. Comparison of plants from collected
seed would perhaps be a little less long term, but
neither should be attempted by those whose hair is
likely to turn grey within the next 10 years.

Ferocactus chrysacanthus
subsp. chrysacanthus
The type of Ihis species is a favourite among
collectors, with its golden
(sometimes reddish) spines
thickly entwining round the at
first globular, mid-green body.
Flowers may be expected on
plants only IScm in diameter,
at about 10 years old, but it is
painfully
slow
growing.
Flower production could take
even longer if the plants are not potted on regularly
and grown to their full potential. The tlowers are
narrow petalled, yellow to orange, and are severely
cramped by the dense spination of this species, to the
extent of being distorted as they push their way
through the heavy armature.
Britton & Rose's original description, amplifying
Orcutt, was of a globose to cylindric plant, to about
20cm tall "but presumably mueh larger" (the Wolfs
illustrate an aged, large, clustering plant in their
book), with about 18 dbs, tubercled. Radial spines 4
to many, slender, white. Central spines sometimes as
many as 10, Scm long, either red or yellow, curved.
Lau reports that the yellow spined plants are found at
lower altitudes, plants with either red or yellow spines
are found on higher ground. Flowers appearing from
near the centre, Scm wide when fully open, inner
petals satiny yellow, ouler pinkish-brown. Fruit is
yellow, 30mm long, 15tllm wide, thick-walled and
dry, with widely spaced small, lunate (crescent
shaped) scales. Seed is 1.S to 2mm long, I.Smm wide,
matt black.
Fig. 9 (opposite page):

Fig. 8: F chrysacanthus subsp. chrysacanthus on Isla

Cedros, Baja California, Mexico

22

F chrysacal1!hus subsp. clllysacanthus,

yellow-spined, in cultivation in the USA

23

Taylor added to thi s somewhat and described the

species as solitary, rarely clustering, to 1m lall, 30cm
in di ameter, wilh about 21 ribs, tubercu late; 22 or
more spines, about 10 of which are central , curved and
twisted, to about Scm long, ye ll ow, rarely red, grey at
highe r, moister localities. Flowers (appearing in June
in the wild) are 4Smm long, 40mm wide, yellow or
orange, the petals with red mid stripes, stigm as pink.
Fru it is oblong-cylindric, ye llOW, 30111111 long, lSmm
in diameter. Seed is to 2.5 mm long, black.
Sonia Barker-Fricker observed that the percentage of
red-sp ined plants was very low: 95 per cent of plants
in an area of about 100 square metres were yell ow
spined, I per cent were red, and 4 per cent reddish
ye ll ow. She added that , except for possibly damaged
plants, all were sol itary, mature plants mostJ y abou t 15
to 30cm in diameter and to 45clll tall, and plants as
small as 10 or 12cm showed ev idence of flow ering.
Reported from Mexico, off northern B AJA CALIFORN IA
on Isla Cedros and nearby San Beni to islands among
coastal scrub near sea level, to SOOm altitude amo ng
pines; specifically from Cedros (t he neotype) in an
arroyo (dry riverbed) behind a village at the soulh-easl
side of the island.
Field co llection numbers referred here arc: neoty pe,
Lindsay 559 (DS) ; Rose 16091 (US); J. W. Tou rney
without no. (US); Rempel 33 1 (A HFH); Lau 0 10.
Synonym: Echinocacflls ehrysacanthlls
Section Ferocactus F. robustus Group

Fig. II; Red-spined F. Chl )'SaCallIlllIs subsp.

chrysacamlllIs in rod.")' ground on Isla Cedros

References:

Ferocaetus ehrysacantl!us (OrclItt) Brilloll & Rose,

The Cact. 3:127 (1922); Otwtt, Rev. Caet. 1:56
( 1899); G. Lilldsay Cact. Sue. Mex. 10(3):79,82,
fig.53 (1965); Unger, Die g rossen Kugelkakt.
Nordamer. 206 (1992): S. Barker- Fricker, Th e Cactus
File 2(9):/1,15 lVith col. fig. (1996); Lilldsay,
Femeaell/s 237, 253,256, 424 (1996) (J955 thesis,
ul1published af the time); Cora, Caet. SLICC. J. (US)
62(6):294,295 (1990); Unger, Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 51(2):
(30) Kart. 2000/03 (2000); HI/Ilt (ed.), CITES Caet.
Checklist 204 ( 1999); F & R. Woif, Baja California u.
s.lnseln 216-231 (/999); E. F Anderson, Th e Cae/lls
Family 327 (200 I)

Ferocactus chrysacanthus
subsp. grandiflorus
Lindsay 's original description
of thi s taxon (as F fordii var.
grandij1orus) was brief and
me re ly differentiated it from
F. fordi; in it s habit and
flowers, the "plants 10 almost
in exceptional
I m tall
spec ime ns: flowers red or
orange rather than purple, to
6cm long, with linear-Ian ceo lale inner perianth
segments to 4cm long and only 4 to 5mm wide."
Some difference !

Fig. 10; F. clirysacollflllls subsp. chrYMIC(mthus,

red-spined. in cultivation in the UK, flowerin g at
"bout 15cm diu .

24

It is rarely seen in cultivati on, but seed has been

offered from time to time, and now that it s position
seems 10 have been settled it may be more sought after
by growers, as, like the type, it wi ll produce flowers at
a comparatively small size, after it has got to about 15
or 20clll in diamet er.

Unger's description along with excellent colour

photograph in the German Society's journal is as
follows: stem solitary, at most only about 1m tall, and
to 25cm in diameter. Spines dense, with up to 7
centrals, the lowest one flattened and hooked, about
Scm long and to 5mm wide, the upper central sp ine
straight, dagger shaped, porrect and the longest, 5.5cm,
the other five spines to 4cm; there are 18 to 21 radial
spines, 2.5 to 4cm long, most whitish, bristle-like, the
lower 3 to 5 stronger and thick. All the thicker spines
at first orange-red, brownish-yellow, later dark
brownish -red. Flowers produced in spring (February to
April), yellow with red midstripe, 6cm long, 7cm wide,
anthers red, (stigma yellow in photograph). Fruit is
greenish-red to yellowish-orange, 17 to 20mm in
diameter. Seed is brown to black, 2 to 3mm long, 1.5
to 1.7mm wide.
Reponed from Mexico, BAJA CALIFORNIA, San
Bartolome Bay (the type), the west coast of the
peninsula from Punta Eugenia to below Punta Abreojos
and Isla Natividad; more recently by Unger from Bahia
Tortuga (according to Unger practically identical to San
Bartolome Bay) and the hills to the south-east of the
bay (this is the area nearest on the mainland to Isla
Cedros); at I-200m altitude. Paul Hoxey photographed
plants more or less in the centre of this distribution,
near the coast between San Hipolito and Bahia
Asuncion.
Field collection numbers referred he re are: holotype
Lindsay 556 as F. fordii var. grand(f1orus) (DS),
isotypes (MEXU, SO); Lindsay 559 (OS); Lindsay 555
from San Roque Point (OS, SO); Rose 16188 (US);
Rose 16249 (US); Dawson 6444 (AHFH); Lau 1410.
Synonyms: F fordii var. grandiflorus; F. grandiflorus;
F. x grandiflorus
References:

Ferocactus chrysacanrhw; subsp. grandiflorus (G.

Lindsay) N. P Taylor, Caet. Cons. Init. 6; 16 (1998); G.
Lindsay, Caet. Suce. 1. (US) 27(6);164-165, fig.154
(/955) - as F fordii var. grandiflorus; N. P Taylor,
Bradleya 2:34 (1984); Unger, Die grossen Kiige1kakt.
Nordamer. 242 (/992) - as F. x grandiflorus; Lindsay,
Ferocactus 258-260,280 (as F.Jordii vat: grandijlorus)
(1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time); F & R.
Waif, Baja California u. s. {nseln 198-205, 232-239
(1999); Hunt (ed.) CITES Caet. Checklist 204 (1999);
Unger, Kakt. fl. a. Sukk. 51(2);(29-30) Kart. 2000/03
(2000) - as F. grandiflorus; E. F. Anderson, The Cactus
Family 327 (2001)

Fig. J3: F. chrysacanthus subsp.grandij1orus with a crown

of flowers in habitat

25

Ferocactus cylindraceus
Seeing this species in habitat for lhe first time is
unforgettable, parli cularl y in sOllthern California
where there are few columnar cacti: the plants of this
species stand out as the most dominant cacti in the
land scape, shi nin g with their brilliant red and yellow
spines in the sun shine. In culti vat ion plant s will
respond well to steady repotting in the first few years,
growing strongly, with the poss ibility of flowers once
they get to about 20cI11 tall and wide, this laking
something like 10 to 15 years. The crowning glory of
the flowers on thi s stunningly beautifully sp ined
species is well worth the wait and the effort.
It has been known for many years as Ferocacf/ls
aeanlhodes, and many fanciers of thi s genus clin g on
to thi s name, but it has been discredi ted by Nigel
Taylo r as not applicable to the commonl y he ld
concept of thi s species, the most signifi cant poi nt of
his argument to our thinking being that the plant
Lemaire described had fmit, thi s on a plant only Il cm
high and 15c m broad, and it seems likely that the
name as originall y applied was as Tay lor suggests
applicable to F. vi ridescel/s.

The spec ies is divided inLO four, possibly five

subspecies, but F. jollllslOllialllls, an island species

which Tay lor in his review suggests is "probabl y only
a di sjunct, island va ri ety of F. cylindracells" is
considered separately herein (see under F. johllstonimms).

As there is often confu sion among Ferocactlls

enthusiasts as to which is which of the subspecies
occurring in the southern U.S., i. e. s ubsp.
cylindracells (the type), subsp. eas/IVoodiae, and
subsp. Lecontei, we have included below a tabl e based
o n that in which Ly man Benson differentiated them
(p.686 of his Cacti o/the United Sl(ltes alld Callada).
It must be sa id that the difference between the type
and s ubsp. lecontei is particularly difficult to define.
and at times they seem 10 overlap in their di stribution
as we ll as the ir characters.

Fig. IS (oppo~ile page); A magnificent clump of

F. cy/indracells subsp. cylindraceus in the Anza
Borrego. California, USA
Fig. 14 (below): F. cyliruJraceus subsp. c)'lilldraceus in the
Anza Borrego, California. USA

~~~~~~~

26

27

Distinctive spine characters (according to Benson 1982) of the three subspecies of F. cylindraceus
occurring in the US are:
subsp. cylilldraceus

subsp. easllvoodiae

Spine principal
(lower) central

7 .5-I4cm long, curving at the

lip to about 900. but nOI
recurved. red [occasionally
yellow I becoming grey

7.5-S. lcm long, curving

slightly. conspicuously
yellow or straw yellow

5-7cm long. curving

slightly, red (occasionally
yellow), becoming grey

Inner radial spines

(similar to central s)

6-S, 1-1.5mm diameter

12-14. 5mm diameter

nearly straight. rigid

6-8, 1-I.Smm diameter

Outer radial spines

Nearly white, flexible,

curving irregularly in
and out, 3.8-6.2cm long,

None present

Nearly white, l1exible, curving

irregularly in and out. Scm
long, O.Smm diameter

Ferocactus cylindraceus
subsp. cylmdraceus
This was the first Ferocactlls
we saw in habitat in the Anza
Borrego Desert in 1981,
where we were taken by a
kindly local cactu s en thu siast.
Our combined weight (there
were six of us in his car)
threatened to short en his
accustomed drivable distance
into the desert floor. With a total disregard for his
sump doing its best to break up the rocks in the dirt
track, we got well among the cacti before he gave up
and we opcncd thc ovcn like doors of the airconditioned car to step into the heat. The first day in
wild desert for any cactus fan is a memorable
experience, but for our first day in that desert with our
eyes feasting on this, the type of F. cylindraceus, as
well as less obv iou s ge ms like Mammillaria
telrancisrra, it was one never 10 be forgotten. The
Ferocactlls stood like Rumpelsliltskin, inviting our
guesses at its name. Little did we realize as we
confidently referred to it as F. (lcant/wdes, that like the
fairy tale we would later accept that we were not right
in thi s assumption.
This, the type, predominantly from California, but
also found in Arizona and northern Baja California,
was described by Nigel Taylor in his review of the
genus (lying close to Benson's description), as solitary, rarely branching or only when damaged, eventually cylindric or somewhat barrel-shaped [traditional
wooden barrel s it is assumed, in these days of
cylindrical metal barrels], 10 3m tall, to 30cm or
occasionally up to 40cm in diameter, with 18 to 30
ribs, tuberculate. Spination extremely variable in size,
colour and form: with about 15 to 25 radial spines,
from tine and hair-like, to stout and intergrad ing with

28

subsp. lecolliei

the central spines; the 4 to 7 central spines round in

section or with two or more flattened. straight, curved
or twisted, the lowermost the longest , to 170mm, often
curved, so metimes hooked at the tip, yellow or red, or
both ye llow and red. Flowers (appearing in spring in
the wild) are green or yellow. sometimes tinged with
red. Fruit is 30 to 40mm long, 1.5 to 2cm in diameter,
yellow. Seed is dark brown, 2 to 3mm long.
Reported from USA and Mexico, specifically from
USA, CALIFORNIA: San Diego County: San Felipe,
eastern slopes of California Mountains, from between
Julian and the Borrego Valley, Sentenac Canyon,
Agua Caliente; Imperial County: Mountain Springs,
US highway 80; Riverside County: Kcys Ranch, edge
of the Colorado desert. Cottonwood Spring, Indio,
Chuchawalla Springs; San Bernadino County:
Barstow, Needles, Cedar Canyon, New York
Mountains; from ARIZONA: Yuma county: Tyson,
Petrified Forest, Yuma, Hidden Valley, Indian Cove,
Joshua Tree National Monument ; from Mexico,
northern BAJA CALIFORNIA, cast of Sierra Juarez;
nOl1h-west SONORA; Colorado desert; at 60 to 600111
altitude.

Fig. 16: F cylilldm('eus subsp. cylilldraceus close-up in

flower, varying from yellow to green

Fig. 17: F. cylindraceus subsp. cylindraceus, a basketwork

cylindraceu.~ subsp. cylindraceus, a young plant

w1th flowers pushing through the spines

Fig. 18: F..

of tortuous, entangled spines

Field co llection numbers referred here are: type, Parry

( 1849 or 1850) as Eeililiocacilis virideseel/s (vac)
ey/i"draeells, wi thout no. (Mo); Rose 12052, 12064

(US): Lindsay 2063, (OS, SO): Wolf 8491 (OS, RSA);

Pari sh [63 (Mo); Dubber, Harbison & Higgin s 44. 131

(SO); Gander 5299, (SO); Benson 10365, 4235

(POM); Munz & Johnston 529 1 (OS): Parish 163
(OS); Evermann without no. (CAS); Hall 6013 (UC);
Wiggins 8748, 8760 (OS); Rost 327 as F. roslii (US
2296912); Lau 125 1; Rep. 200, 207,,; OJF 1354,
1355; SB 1906; JS 54, 82.
Sy nony ms: EehinoeaelUs aeanrhodes, E. cylindraceus, E. hertrichii, . virideseens rvar.] ey/indraeeus,
F. acallthodes (wrongly applied), F. QCOllfJlOdes var.
rostii, F. rostii

References:

Ferocactus eylindraeeus (Engelmann) OrCIIII,

Cactograplly 5 (1926); Engelmanll, Amer. 1. Sci. ser.2,
14:338 (1852) - as Echinocactus viridescells
cylilldraceus; I.e., SYIl . Caer. US. 19 (1856) - as E.
cylilldraceus; I.c., Cact. Mex. Bound. pl.30 (1859);
BrillOIl & Rose, The Caci. 3: 129,jigs. 134-137, pU5
(1922) - as F acalllllOdes; N. P. Taylor, Caer. Suce. J.
(GB) 41(4): 91 (1979); Bellson, Cacti US & Canada
686 et seq., jigs. 719-722, col. pl. 118 (1982); Unger,
Die grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. J14 (1992) . as F.
acanlhodes; Lindsay, Felvcaetus 281-308, 387, 421
(1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time) . as F.
acal/rhodes; . F. Anderson, The Cactlls Family 3278
(2001)

Sec tion ferocactus F. robustus Group

29

Ferocactus cylindraceus
subsp. eastwoodiae
This subspec ies is distinct in
having yellow, stiff, more or
less straight spines, not the
den se. flattened, twisted
spination of the type and
subsp. tortulispillllS; it also
lacks the thinner, suppl ementary radial spines of all
other subspecies. Th is last
difference from the type and ot her subspecies is the
most signifi can t, and immediately iden tifies plants
observed in the field or in cu lti vation. It has given the
lie to some plants idefllifi ed as this subspecies from
Cal iforn ia, where it is not known to occur. The yellow
spination is most attractive and makes growing it in
cultivation a joy; it will take about 15 years or more to
grow to flowering size, at abou t 25cm tall, and 20cm
wide. Taylor len it in lim bo in the 1999 CITES
Cactaceae Checklist, i.e. as provisionally accepted
with the impli catio n that it might resolve under this
species either as a synonym or subspecies, bU I in 2002
he amalgamated it here as a subspecies. Anderson
(200 I) follows suit and li sts it as a species, adding that
it " is close ly related to F. cylilldraceus". From
Benson's detailed localiti es il is clear that it occurs
only locally in 2 or 3 places (usually on cliffs) in the

eastern part of the range of thi s species, with an

isolated occurrence in the south of the distribution. In
view of its indi vidua l appearance, spine differences
and localized occurrence we are happy to recognize it
as a subspec ies here as it is a worth while collector's
plant.
Benson's description is of a plant with 12 to 14,
uniformly sto ut, stiff, radial spines 44 to 56mm long,
similar to the central spines and lacki ng the thinner,
outer radial spines of other subspecies, and with 4
stronger central spi nes in cnlcifix formatio n, the
lowermost central sp ine 75rnm to 80mm, 2.5mm
broad, like the others, sligh tl y curved, stiff and bright
ye llow. Fruit is ye ll ow. Seed is 2mm long, only
Slightl y longer than broad, shiny dark brown to black.
Plants pictured by Benson on cliffs look to be a metre
to a metre and a hal f ta ll , and about 40 to 50cm in
diameter.
Reported from the Sonora Desert. From USA,
ARIZONA, ncar Superior, Pinal Cou nty, mountains
above Qu een Creek, 975m altitude, between Camp
Verde and Strawberry, in east Yavapai Co unty; in the
west of Pima County, near Bates Well, Grow ler
Mountains; the south-east of Pinal County, and the
Fig. 19: F. cyfindracells subsp. eastwoodiae with
characteristic neal rows of slightly curved, yellow
central spines

~~~~~~~~

30

R eferences:

Ferocactus cylindraceus subsp. eastwoodiae (BenSOil )

N. P 'l{rylor, Cactaceae Systematics Initiatives 14:16
(2002); L. Bellsoll, Cacti of Arizolla ed.3 23 (1969);
Cacti US & COllado 692, figs. 726, 727, col.pl. 1I9,121

(1982); slIppl. 969 (1982) - as F. eastwoodiae; N. ~

Taylo r, Bradleya 2:33 (1984); Lindsay, Ferocactus
290-293 (1996) (1955 thesis, /II/publish ed at the time);
H"IIt (ed.), CITES Cae/. Checklist 204 (1999); E. F.
Andersoll, The CaCl/IS Family 328 (2001) - as F.
eastwoodiae

Fig. 20: F. cylilldracells subsp. eastwoodiae in cult ivation

in the UK, flowering at about 20cm dia.

sou th-west of Gila Coun ty, near Winkelm ann, Globe;

at 390- 1, 140m altitude.

Field col lection numbers referred here are: the type L.
Benson 166 18 (POM 3 1 1.3 12); L. Ben son 9895
(POM , Ariz. , CAS); Eastwood 17479 (CAS); I. G.
Reimann (POM); SB 1836.
Synonyms: F. acat/thodes var. eastwoodiae, F. cylindraceus var. eastwoodiae, F. eastwoodiae

Fig. 21 : F. cylilldracells subsp. easrll'oodiae

enjoy ing life in the Superstition Mountai ns,

Arizona, USA

31

Ferocactus cylindraceus
subsp. lecontei
This subspecies is more
slender than the type, with
spines at first yellowish or red
and yellow, less flattened and
not twisted like the type;
Benson pictures a plant in the
Mojave desert in Yavapai
County, Arizona, about 2m
tall and half a metre wide.
The description by Benson differentiated Ihis
subspecies as follows: a longest central spine 5 to 7cm
long (7.5 to 14cm in the type), the apex curving a
little, at maturity red [but yeJlow spined [onns have
been reported] becoming grey, the inner radials 6 to 8,
similar to the centrals 3 to Scm long, the outcr 6 to 12
thinner, flexible, irregularly curving in and out, nearly
white. Fruit is yellow. Seed is black, to 2mm long.
On a visit to the southern stales of the USA we saw
some outstanding plants of this subspecies on a trip
out north-west of Phoenix, Arizona, where we had
taken my cactus-innocent elder son (who was on a
business trip) to show him what he was missing by
staying during most of his spare time by the hotel

32

swimming pool admiring the female scenery. To his

amazement and consternation for things proper, he
watched as we slid beneath a wire fence in order to
photograph wonderfully spined plants of this
subspecies growing in rocky outcrops. They were
about 70 or 80cm tall, and a third of their height in
diameter; the glowing red spination was outstanding
in its vivid colouring; flowers were distinctly yellow,
with a red midstripe.
Reported from the USA and Mexico, in the Mojave,
Sonora and Colorado deserts at 300 to l500m altitude.
From the USA, ARIZONA except the north-east,
specifically Pinal County; Bill Williams Fork of
Colorado River; south CALIFORNIA; south NEVADA;
south-west UTAH; from Mexico, north SONORA,
Sonoita; at300-1,500m altitude. Benson's plotting of
reported occurrences in the wild (page 687 of his
major work) shows a generally more easterly
preference for this subspecies, mainly in central
Arizona, but meeting with the type in eastern
California and in its eastern and southern extremities
with subsp. easfwoodiae, which adds to the doubts
about these subspecies' taxanomic separation.

lecontei in habitat at

Fig. 23: F. c)'lilldraceas subsp. iecolltei in Clark

Mountains. Cali fornia, near the Nevada border

Field colleclion numbers referred here are: leclOIYpe,

Bige low (Mo); Mun z & Everett 17454 (RS A);
Wiggins 8269, 8358 (DS); G. A. Wilcox without
number (US); SB 5 17.
Synonyms: Echillocactus /ecolllei, F. aconthodes var.
lecomei, F. cyJindraceus var. fecol/tei, F. hertricilii,
F. lecolltei. F. x lecol/tei
References:

Ferocactus cylilldracells s//bsp. leCOl/lei (Engeimallll)

N. P. Toy/or. Cacl. COliS. Illit. 6:16 (/998);
Engelmalln, 5)'1/. Cact. Us. 18 ( / 856); Proc. Amer.
Aco(/. 3:274 ( 1856); H. Brm'o- Hollis, Cacr. Suc. Mex.
25(3):65 (1980); CllCI. Mex. BOlllld. 1.27 (1859);
Britton & Rose. The Cactaceae 3: 129 (1922); G.
Lilldsay, CllCI. Slice. 1. (US) 27(6): 169 (1955); L
Bel/SOil, Native Cacri of California 198, pl./5.3 & 4
(1969) ; Cocli of AriZOl/o ed. 3 (4 1h printing, 198/)
165-/66, jig.5.2 ( 1969); Caeli US & Clllllld1l687-692,
figs. 723-725, col.pl. 117,120 (1982); Ullger, Die
grossell Kugefkakt. Nordomer. 225-237 (1992) - as F.
X fecontei; Lindsay. Feroc(u:tus 286-289, 293, 306308 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time); E.
F. Andersol/. The Cactus Family 327-8 (2001)
Fig. 25: F. c)'lilldmceas subsp. lecollfe; flowering in the
Providence Mountains. California, USA

33

Ferocactus cylindraceus
subsp. tortulispinus
Although much less tall than
other subspecies this is
perhaps the most spectacu lar
of them all, with long,
tortuous, deep red central
spines. With little accompanying vegetation of any size
they stand out on the hillsides,
particularly after a shower of
rain, which lights up the red colouring dramatically.

It was described by Gates (as a new species) as

solitary, globose to subcylindric, to about 60cm tall ,
40cm in diameter, with 20 ribs. Radial spines 3 or 4
on each side of the areolc, 6 to 8 in all, needle-like,
spreading greyish-white. Central spines II , stiff,
slender, very diverse, ringed, spreading or appressed,
dull greyish red with yellow tips , all straight and
sharp, except the lower middle one, this slender,
elongated to 13cm, more or less hooked and generally
pronouncedly LOrtulose. The flowers, fruit and seed
were not observed; collected seed is 2mm long, shiny
black. Significantly Gates said that in form and size
this species "resembles F. acanthodes [i.e. F.
cyJindraceus] more than any other of the Lower

34

Californian Ferocacti".
Taylor describes it as differing from the type mainly in
its geography, but also in its shorter stem, commonly
not more than 70cm, but exceptionall y to 2m tall,
spines orange-red, or reddish-grey where it grows near
to F. gracilis, flowers slightly smaller, clear yellow.
Plants seen by the authors included one large,
apparently naturally clustering plant, nearly a metre
tall, but in general plants of this variety were smaller
than other subspecies, often globular, and producing
tlowers when only about 25cm tall and wide. We
found them in only one location on our various trips to
Baja California, growing in a small canyon,
outstandingly different from other Ferocactus species
we had been seeing, with their splendidly tortuous, red
spination and bright yellow flowers. The fruit is
yellow.
Reported from Mexico, northern BAJA CALIFORNIA,
16km north of Laguna Chapala Seca, 290 39' N, 1140
40' W; canyon south of Mision Calamajue, between
El Crucero and Cerro Juan, east to Calamajue and Las
Arrastras de Arriola, east margin of Viscaino Desert;
at 600m altitude.
Fig. 26: F cylindraceus subsp. tortulispillus, south of
Catavifia, Baja California, Mexico

Fig. 27: F. cylilldraceus subsp. lorlllfispil/lIs, with flowers

having a hard time to emerge

Fig. 28: F. cylindracells subsp. tortll/ispinus, living up to

its name with a tangled mass of tortuous spines

Field colleclion numbers referred here are: the type H.

E. Gales 161 (OS 207825); Lindsay 2064 (OS, SO);
Lau 1217 ; Rep. 269.
Synonyms: F. acalllJlOdes subsp./var. torllllispillus, F.
cylilldraceus var. /ortulispinus, F. torlulospinus, F.
acanthodes var. rortlllospilJl/S
References:
FerocacllIs

cylindraeells

subsp.

lorlulispillllS

(H. Gores) N. P. Taylor, Cael. COilS. Illil. 6: 16 (1998);

H. Gates, Caet. Suee. 1. (US) 4(9):343, with fig.

(1933); H. Bral'o-Ho//is, Caet. SlIe. Mex. 25(3):65

(1980); G. Lindsay, Caet. Suee. J. (US) 27(6): 168-169
(/955); Lindsay, FerocaCfl/S 285-286, 293, 303-305,
422 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time);
N. P. TaylOl; Bradleya 2:33-4 (1984); E. F. Anderson,
Tlte Caetlls Family 327-8 (200 I)

Fig. 29: F. cylindracells subsp. IOrwlispinlls, spaced out

red-coated sentries surviving a drought year

35

Ferocactus

d~guetii

The largest growing of all Ferocacllls, this is one

species that any enthusiast for the genus would want
to see in habitat; and Derek braved the Gulf of
California in a fi sh ing boat 10 do just that as a
millennium celebration when he found himself with
the chance to do so. To stand alongside a Ferocae/us
that towers above you at least twice your height is an
awe.inspiring experience.

It grows on several islands in the Gulf of California,

and is of course difficult to get to, requiring the cooperation of a friendly local fisherman will ing to take
you in his boat to one of the islands, and, more
important ly, to either wait or pick you up again later.
In cultivat ion it is slow growing, and seedlings grown
in the UK for some 15 years or so have achieved only
20cm or so in height, and the same in width. It has
dist inctivc pa le spines and 11 pale green body co lour,
reminiscent of F potlsii, which is in the same group.
Smaller growing plants found on Isla Carmen, named
Fig. 30 (below): The !lowering head of a massive
F. diguetii on Isla Santa Catalina. Gulf of
California, Mexico

as va r. carmellellsis by
Lind say in 1955, are not
recognized as a separate
subspecies, si nce that is all
they seem to be - smaller
growing.
It was desc ribed by Britton and Rose, amplifying
Weber's description, as usually I to 2m tall , but
sometimes up to 4m (on Isla Santa Catalina; see
photographs here, and on page 167, fig.156 in the
1955 US journal, and the recent books by Franziska
and Richard Wolf, who add a half metre to the height
- 80 years' growth!), 60 to 80cm or more in diameter,
with numerous, rather thin ribs, sometimes as many as
39. Radial spines 610 8, yellow, subulate, 30 to 40mm
long, slightly curved and a little spreading, No central
sp ines are mentioned, but were observed on somc
young plants in the wi ld, Flowers are red with yellow
margins, 30 to 35mm long, stigmas yellow.
Taylor's description in his review is of soliLary stem s,
to 4m tall, 60 10 80c m in d iameter, with 25 to 35 ribs
or more, sinuate in age; spines 4 to 8
(to 10 in you th), yellow or reddish
brown, sl ightly curved, spreading, to
5cm long; flowers red with yellow
margins, 30 to 40mm long and wide,
stig mas yellow; fruit was not
described, except as dry, but from
personal observation it is lemon
yellow, with lunate (crescent shaped)
sca les. Seed is glossy brown, 1.5 to
2mm long.
Reported
from
Mexico,
BAJA
CALIFORNIA, in the Gulf of Cali fornia
on Isla Santa Catalina, Isla Carmen,
Isla Monserrate, Isla Dansante, Isla
San Diego, Isla Cerralvo, Isla Angel
de 1<1 Guarda, and Isla Coronados
(pe rha ps ex tinct o n the last
mentioned); at 1O300m altitude. W.A.
Fitz Maurice reports seein g a single
spec imen on the mainland of BAJA
CALIFORNIA near Agua Verde, adjacent
to these islands.
Fig. 31 (opposile page): An aged
F diguetii standing only a hundred
metres or so from the shoreline of

Isla Santa Catalina

36

37

Fig. 32: Close-up of the colourful

flowers on this young(ish) plant
of F. diguetii

Field collection numbers referred here are: neotype

Moran 3883 (DS); Lindsay 2204 (as type of F diguetii
var. carmenensis) (OS), (isotypes in MEXU, OS);
Johnston 4098 (CAS); Johnston 4037 (CAS); Lindsay
518 (OS); Lindsay 525, 2200; Lindsay 2187 (OS,
SO); Lindsay 2170 (OS, SO); Moran 3581 (OS); Lao
57.
Synonyms: Echinocactus
subsp.lvar. carmenensis

diguetii,

F.

Section Ferocactu s F. pottsii group

Fig. 33: An inviting landing place with F. diguetii
patiently awaiting visitors

38

diguetii

References:

F. diguetii (F. A. C. Weber) Britton & Rose, The Caet.

3:131132, pI. 11.2,12.3 (1922); FA. C. Weber, Bull.
Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 4:99100, fig.1 (1898); G.
Lindsay, Caet. Suec. J. (US) 27(6):167168, fig.156
(1955); I.e., Caet. Sue. Mex. 10(3): 7691, figs. 46, 63
(1965); SanchezMejorada, Cact. Sue. Mex. 29(2):48
(1984) . photo.; N. P Taylor, Bradleya 2:3637
(1984); Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer.
274, 280281 (1992); Lindsay, Ferocactus 315324,
391 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time); F.
& R. Wolf, Baja Calif u.s. Insetn 142, 148 (1999); E.
F. Anderson, The Cactus Family 328 (2001 )

Ferocactus echidne
Thi s is an easy to g row species, and in habitat young
plants of only about 12cm in diameter can be found in

flower. To achieve thi s in cultivalion a good sUllny

position is needed. although plants seen along the road
west of Rio Verde in the Mexican stale of San Lu is
POIOS] seemed to seek out positions under low scrub or
small trees, but of course the sunshin e that does get to
them is the hot, Mex ican kind. Seedlings often c lu ster
quite carly in life, at about 3 o r 4 years of age.
Lindsay maintained the variation or thi s species which
occurs arollnd Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas, as a
variety, i.c. F. echidne var. victoriel1sis, but the
differences are sl ight, and there is considerab le
variation throughout its range according to Nigel
Tay lor, who maintai ns that such recog niti o n is
unnecessary.
Dc Candolle's desc riptio n of the species is amplified
by Britton and Rose, who described it as depressedglobose, 12.5 cm tall , 18c m in diameter, green , with 13
acute ribs. Radial spin es are rigid , about 7, and about
2cm long, yellow; the single cen tral spine is 3cm long
or more, IXmect. Flowers are lemon-yellow. Fru it
and seed not described. Taylor furt her amplified the
description as foll ows: stem s so litary or clustering,

somctimes forming large

clumps (more than a melre
across
by
30c m
tall) ,
flatt ened-globose to cylindri c,
to 35cm tall (but up to 8Ocm),
and 20cm (but up 10 3Ocm) in diameter, dull to g rey
green, with 13 to 2 1 ribs (thi s last usually auributed to
var. vicforie nsi s, as well as the more heav ily clustering
plants, which Taylor regards as synonymous with the
type; he also has reported a decumbent specimen at
least a metre in length , seen in Queretaro). Radial
spines 7 to 9, are shorter than the one central spine
which is 5 to 100m. Flowers are yellow, rarely red, 20
to 45m lll lo ng, 30 to 35 mm widc. Fru it is globu lar to
ovoid, 20mm long, 12 to 15ml1l in diameter, juicy,
lig ht green, white, tinged pink or red, or purpli sh, with
yellowish, obtuse scales. Seed is I to 1.75mm long,
dark red to black.
While somewhat reluctantly accepting Taylor 's
dismissal of var. vicfOriellsis, we feel bound to adv ise
F'erocactlls enthu siasts to seek out the narrow-ribbed
variant (one of the distingu ishin g c haracters of var.
Fig. 34: F echidlle in cu ltivation in the UK. flowering at
no more than about 12cm diu .

39

victoriellsis) occurring commonly around Ciudad

Victoria, as well as looking out for the particularly
long-spined plants of this ilk (long spines being
another of the distinguishing characters of var.
victoriensis). Either or both features make a handsome
addition to a collection of the genus.
We also took the opportunity in autumn 2003 to check
out the remote type locality of 1. Purpus's Ferocactus
raJaelensis, referred for some time to synonymy with
F. echidne. The road to the Minas de San Rafael is not
an easy one, and probably not visited that frequently
except for those of a hardy disposition. We eventually
bumped along the road to the mine which is still being
worked, although much of the structure has been
raided for its bricks, and there is an air of past
desolation about the place. The Ferocactus plants
seen in the locality clearly owed much to F. echidne,
and were not we thought worth separate consideration
in a broad view of the species.
Reported from Mexican states of HIDALGO, SAN LUIS
POTosi, NUEVO LE6N, QUERETARO, and GUANAJUATO,
specifically from HIDALGO, from Puente Tasquilla on
the Laredo highway, Barranca de Mezquitlan,
Barranca de Venados, Paso Leone, Barranca Xilitla,
Gila-Almolon, Xhaja, San Cristobal to Metztitlan,
Barranca de Tolontongo, Barranca del Rio Amajaque,
Rio Moctezuma, Toliman, Tecozautla, Mezquital,
Tasquillo, Metztitlan; from SAN L UIS Parosf, Ciudad
Maiz, San Rafael, from the pass by Sauz, Reformita,
Arroyo Carrizal, San Rafael Laguna, Buenavista, Las
Rusias, La Calzada; from NUEVO LE6N, north-east of
Aramberri ; from QUERETARO, north of Vizarron, Rio
Jalpan, north of Jalpan, Toliman ncar Bernal,

Fig. 36: F cchidnc at the Minas San Rafael, San Luis

PotosI. type locality for the synonymous F rafaelcnsis

Azogues, San Joaquin, Gatos, San Juan Tetla, Maconi;

from GUANAJUATO, at San Felipe; at about 300- 1,860m
altitude, on basic soils.
Field collection numbers referred here are: neotype
Bravo 34/22 (DS); Hemandez without no. (MEXU);
Dawson 3052 (AHFH); Lindsay 2069 (OS); Lau
1112,1313; Rep. 149,298, 1129a, 1133a, 1139a,
1438,1939, 1951a, 2148d, 2272, 2365; SB 1636; DJF
609,617; CSD 44,298; CZlCH 196,225, 252.
Synonyms: Echinocactus echidne, E. victoriensis,
F echidne var. victoriensis, F. emoryi var. victoriensis,
f: raJoefensis, F rhodanthus?
Section Bisnaga F. glaucescen s group
References:

Ferocactus echidne (De Candal/e) Britton & Rose,

The Cact. 3: 136 (1922); De Condolle, Coil. memo
8:19, plate 11 (1834); Sdnchez-Mejorada Cact. Sue.
Mex. 10(3):66, 72, figs. 42a & b, 43a & b (1965 ); N.
P Taylor, Bradleya 2:22 (1984); I.e. 5:95 (1987);
Vngel; Die grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 382-392
(1992); Lindsay, Feroeaetus 101-110, 393 (1996)
(1955 thesis, unpublished at the time); E. F. Anderson,
The Cactus FamiLy 328 (2001)

Fig. 35: A lypical clump of F echidnc in the Valle de los

Fanlasmas, San Luis PotosI. Mexico

40

Ferocactu5 emory;
Nigel Taylor has now reduced F. rectispinus, w hi ch is
clearly related to this species and grows on the other
side of the Gulf of California, to a subspecies beneath
F. emoryi - see below.

Ferocactus emory;
subsp. emory;
When we first saw this, the
type of the species, in Arizona

in 1981
the difference
between it and the cooccurring F. wislizeni was
difficult to determine. The
most obvious di fference is in
the more robust radial spines
in this species (some are
wispy in F. wislizeni). Now, having grown them all for
some years the differences are very obvious, which
goes to prove that if you grow them, you get to know
them!

amplified to report plants occasionally up to 2 .Sm tall,

60cm in diameter, pale to glaucous green, with IS to
30 ribs or more; 7 or 8 (occasionally to 9) radial
spines; the single central spine 4 to 10cm long,
straight, curved or hooked at the tip, very strong; fruits
narrow obovoid to oblong, to SOmm long, 30mm in
diameter, with broad, cordate (heart-shaped) scales;
seed dark brown or black, rounded, 2mm long, I.Smm
wide.
Reported from USA, south-west ARIZONA, specifically
Pima County: Fedington Canyon, Bates Well,
Quiojota Mountains, Papago Wells, Fresnal Canyon,
Sells 77km W Tucson, west end of Coyote Mountains,
Quitobaquito, Gunsite; Mexico, SONORA (the type of
F. covillei from Altar), on the plain near Empalme, and
west of Torres, north of Hermosillo, west of Sonoita,
and at Guasimas, 4.8km N San Pedro, San Pedro Bay,
between Veruga Pass and Poso Cerna, 7.7km N
Magdalena, El Alamo near Magdalena,

On a trip to the Organ Pipe National Monument in

southern Arizona, in November, this subspecies,
which seemed to be the only one present there in
quantity, was in fruit, suggesting that they flower there
in late summer, as they tend to do in the UK.
They will flower in cultivation from about 30cm in
diameter. They make for handsome young plants, but
seem reluctant to get started into growth in the spring
compared with other species.
Known often as F coviflei, a name which Taylor has
relegated to synonymy, the most full description is by
Britton and Rose (albeit as the "new" species
F covilfei) as so litary, globular to sho11-cylindric,
often to I.Sm tall (Taylor reports seeing specimens 3
metres tall near the Gulf of Californ ia in Sonora), with
22 to 32 rather thin ribs, the large, circular areoles
brown-felted, more or less continuous and naked once
flowering size is reached. Spines are red or white,
radials 5 to 8, subulate, straight or more or less curved
backward, 3 to 6cm long, annu late; the solitary central
spine is variable, straight or with the tip bent or even
strongly hooked, ribbed, terete to strongly flattened or
three-angled, 3 to 8cm long. Flowers are red, or red
tipped with yellow, or sometimes all yellow, 6 to 7cm
long. Fruit is oblong, yellow, SOmm long, thickwalled and dry. Seed is black, 2mm long, matt, with
large-rimmed hilum. The description has been

Fig. 37: F. emoryi subsp. emoryi in habitat in the Maricopa

Mountains, Arizona, flowering in August

41

I06km S Magdalena, Guaymas, near

Miramar, Nogales/lmuris, Caborca, Santa
Ana, Punta de Agua, Sierra del Pajarito,
Sierra de Sonoita; north SI NALOA,
Topolobampo; in the Gulf of California, on
Isla San Pedro Nolasco; at near sea level to
900m altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here are:
holotype C. G. Pringle 342 (US) (as
F covillei); also as F covilLei the following:
Benson without no, (Ariz.); Benson 9895,
9896, 9917 (POM); Blakley & Speck 262
(DES); Harbison without no. (SD) ; Loomis

SF 112, SF 84 (Ariz.); Peebles 14546,

14546A, 14551, SF 160 (Ariz.); Wiggins
6028,8696 (DS); Keck 4115 (DS); Lindsay
2222, 2550, 2551, 2552, 2553 (DS, SD);
Kennedy 7115 (CAS); Johnston 4292, 4348
(CAS); Dawson 1009, 1009A (AHFH); M.
E. Jones without no. (POM); and as
F emoryi: Lau 78; Rep. 20 I, 219a, 224c,

813b; DJF 52.37, 1591, 1624; SB 1297,

1637,1638; JS 43, 79.
Synonyms: Echinocactus emoryi, F. covillei
Section Ferocactus F. pottsii group
Fig. 38: A fruiting plant of F. emoryi subsp. emoryi south of Sells,
Arizona in early spring

References:

Fig. 39: Blood-red flowers on a plant of F. emoryi subsp. emoryi in cultivation

outdoors in the USA

42

Ferocaclus emoryi (Engelmann)

Orcult, Cactography 5 (1926);
EngeLmann, Syn. Cact. US 19
( 1856); Engelmann & Bigelow,
Des", Caet. 31, 1'1.3, jig.3 (1856);
Schumann, Gesamtb. Kakt. 345-346
(1898); Britton & Rose, The Cacr.
3:132-133, jigs. 138, 139 (1922) as F covillei; L. Benson, Cacti US
& Cunada 699-703, jigs. 737-741,
col. pl. 123 (1982) - as F covillei;
N. P. Taylor. Bradleya 2:37 (1984);
Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt.
Nordama
258-267
(1992);
Lindsay, Ferocactus /93-201, 209,
389, 423 (1996) (1955 thesis,
unpublished at the time) - as F
covillei; E. F Anderson., The Cactus
Family 329 (2001)

Ferocactus emoryi
subsp. rectispinus
Thi s is one of the mos t
handsome FelVcactus to grow
in c ultivation , wit h
it s
incredibl y long centra l spines
up to 25cm long if given best
cond itions for rapid growth,
and plenty of light.

simil ar plants in the wild mentioned above, indicates

that th is is probably a variable character.
It was described as having a stem 1.5m (occas ionally
to 2m) tall , 45cm in diameter, with about 21 ribs. The
spines are all st raight Ibut see above], the single
central 9 to 25cm long , with 7 to 9 radial spines 1.5 to
6cm long, all reddish or blotched red and yell ow.
Flowers are yellow (in late summer in the wi ld), 6cm
long and wide. Fruit is yellow, globular to ovoid, to
35 mm long, 25mm in diameter, fle shy, covered wi th

When we v is ited the type

locality in the 1980 5. in central
Baja California on the Gulf of
California coast, we found
several plants in the area, but
almost all had spines with an ill defin ed hook or at least a curve at
the end of them. T his has been
explained as h ybr idi zat io n o r
introgrcssion wit h F. pel/insulae
by Taylor, 1984), but we were left
in doubt whether this is what we
were seei ng. or whether thi s was
within the normal variation of this
taxon. The onl y examples we
found with absol utely straigh t
spines were three replanted in
front of the reception area of a
nearby caravan site. To indi cate
the length of their spines, a penknife with both blades ope n
(about 15cm long) was not long
enough to rcach the fruit at the
apex of the plant, withou t severe
ri sk of spiking the finge rs.
A small seedlin g plant of thi s
subspeci es
purchased
in
Tegelberg's nursery in 1981, in 24
years has grow n to 50Cln tall and
25cm in diameter, w ith absolutely
straight central spines about 15 10
18cm lo ng, deep red in colour; for
the last severa l years it ha s
produced clear, deep yellow
flowers.
But such plant s
matching up to the orig in al
description arc rare in cu lti vation,
and if grown from seed, resu lting
plant s are often clearl y thi s
species. but seldom prod uce
absolute ly straight central spi nes,
which with th e evidence of

Fig. 40: F. emory; subsp. recfispillllS. a comparatively young plant nowering in

cult ivation in the USA

43

Synonyms: F. emoryi vae. rectispinlls; F.

rectispinus
References:
Ferocactlis emoryi subsp. reclispinus
(Engelmann) N. P. Taylor, Cac!. Cons. Init.
6: 16 (1998); Engelmann in Coulter,
Contrib. US. Nat. Herb. 3:362 (1896);
Britton & Rose. Caet. 3:134 (1922); N. P.
Taylor, BradJeya 2:37 (1984); Britton &
Rose, 1. New York Bal. Gard. 12:269
(1911); G. Lindsay, Caet. Sue. Mex.
10(3):82.85. fig .57 (1965); Unger, Die
grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 268-273
(1992); Muller, Kakt.li.a.Sukk. 47(6): 117
(1996); Lindsay. Ferocaetlis 203209. 411.
439 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the
time); E. F Anderson, The Cactus Family
329 (2001)

Fig. 41: F. emory; subsp. rectispinus flowering in the wild in the north of
Baja California Sur

wide, brown, ci liate scales. Seed is black, 2

to 2.50101 long, 1.50101 wide.
Reported from Mexico, from the northern
part of southern BAJA CALIFORNIA (i.e. just
below the halfway mark in the peninsula),
from around San Ignacio to south of Loreto,
specifically from CanipoJe, Coyote Grande
(Cuesta de Coyote) 32km S Mulege, the tip
of Concepcion Bay, Nopolo, San Ignacio,
Rancho el Coyote, Commondu, San
Francisco de 1a Sierra; in volcanic rocks
from near sea level to nearly 1,600m
altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here are:
ho1otype Gabb 12 (Mo); Lindsay 1989 (DS,
SD); Wiggins 11.414 (DS. SD); Rose 16671
(CAS); Lau 1405; Rep. 275; S8 1288,
1700; LH 267.

Fig. 42: A crumpled specimen of

F. emoryi subsp. reetispillUS in habitat
between Mulege and LorefO

44

Ferocactus flavovirens
In cultivation this species needs extra warmth in
winter where the temperature is liable to fall below
7C to be sure of not damaging it. A minimum
temperature of 10C is desirable. Seedlings grown in
the UK have started to form offsets after about 4 years
from seed, and flowers of both red and yellow have
been seen on plants in cultivation in North America.
However, in the UK, seedlings about 10 years old
from seed with about 5 or 6 stems (the biggest about
12cm in djameter) have not obliged with flowers as
yet.
We saw it growing in rocky gulleys off the road from
Oaxaca north to Tehuacan, near the Puebla border,
where it grew in clumps of about 30 stems in the shade
of sparse trees. While we were being driven along the
winding. steep, mountain road with memorial cairns at
almost every bend, by a young Mexican who clearly
thought it imperative to test the suspension and roadholding capabilities of the car we were in, John
glimpsed a clumping Ferocae/us. Aware at that time
of only one heavily clumping small-stemmed species
he turned to Derek (whose eyes were shut) and said
wonderingly "Does F. robustus grow here?" Derek
replied that it was probably F. jlavovirens and the

opportunity was immediately

and gratefully taken [0
suspend the rapid progress of
the car, in order to climb up
the
steep
gulleys
to
photograph the plants.
Known and introduced into cultivation by Rose in
1906, Britton and Rose described this species briefly,
based on Scheidweiler's brief account in 1841, as
clustering to form great masses, pale green, 30 to
40cm tall, stems 10 to 20cm in diameter, with 13 ribs,
rarely 11 or 12, acute and somewhat sinuate, with
large, greyish, woolly areoles. Spines are pale brown,
becoming grey in age, long and s[Out; radial spines 12
to 20, lower spines similar to centrals, but upper
sometimes lighter coloured, bristle-like and
sometimes twisted; central spines 4 to 6, much longer
than the radials, somewhat unequal, the lower the
longer, 50 to 80mm long. Flowers and fruit are not
recorded, the flower buds are globular, covered with
long, linear overlapping scales, their margins with
long ciliate hairs.
Fig. 43: F. flavovirens on the road from Oaxaca to

Tehuacan, Puebla, Mexico

45

Texcala, south-west of Tehuacan, Santa Ana

Zapotitlan, Colonia San Marlin, San Sebastian de la Frontera, Acatepec; from OAXACA ,
Chazumba, Zapolitlan.
Field collection numbers referred here are:
neotype Lindsay 2596 (DS) (also at SD);
Lindsay 2059 (DS , SD); Lau 1414; Rep.
102,130; FO.70; CZlCH 157.
Synonym: Eeliiflocacllls j1avovirefls
Section Bisnaga F. glaucescens group
References:

Feracaclus flavovirens (Scheidweiler)

Britton & Rose, The Caet. 3: 138, .fig. 13.1
(1922) ; Scheidweiler, Allg. Gartenz. 9:50
Fig. 44: A red-flowered F j1avovirens south of Oaxaca city, Oaxaca,
(1841);
KraiflZ, Die Kakteefl, Lfg. 31-32, C
Mexico
Ville with jigs. (1965); Krdhenbiihl,
Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 34(2):40-41, with figs.
Taylor (1987) amplified this description to report that
(1983); N. l' Taylor, Bradleya 2:20, habitat fig. p.21
the plants in the wild make clusters of 2m across, the
(1984 ); & 5:95 (1987); Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt.
individual stems to 30 or 40cm tall, 20cm in diameter;
Nordamer. 397-402 (1992); Lindsay, Feraeactus 87in the field with II to 15 ribs; 12 to 20 radial spines,
90, 110, 395 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the
pale brown to grey, long and strong, but the uppermost
time); E. F. Anderson, The Cactus Family 329 (2001)
paler and more slender, bristle-like; the 4 to 6 central
spines light brown, much longer than the radials,
unequal , 50 to 80mm long. Flowers were likened to
those of Echinocactus grusonii, from the covering of
the buds with the long, imbricale scales with long
ciliate hairs on the margins mentioned by Britton and
Rose, but there is some confusion over the colour,
(including
Taylor)
some
reporting it to be red, others
reporting yellow, about 35mm
wide, with narrow petals, 2 to
3mm wide, sligmas yellowish;
we have seen both yellow and
red flowers - see photographs.
Fruit is ellipsoid, 28mm long,
18mm in diameter, red with
long, brown, ciliate aristate
scales in rows, juicy, the pulp
red. Seed is narrowly ovoid,
1mm, black to dark brown.
Reported from Mexico, southeast PUEBLA to northern
OAXACA, on limestone; from
PUEBLA, Tehuacan, road to
Zapotitlan de Salinas, 9km
from Tehuacan , at 1,600 to
1,900m altitude; San Antonio,

Fig. 45: A Iypical clump of F j1avovirens on Sleep rocky ground in northern Oaxaca,

Mexico

46

Ferocactu5 fordii
This is a species commonly seen in cultivation, as it
wit! flow er at no more than about Scm in diameter,
with slUnning, out of the ordinary. pink to purple
flowers. Most p lants in cultivation have originated
from much further north , near EI Rosario, than the
orig inal locality c ited, 250km further down the coast

at " Lagoon Head" (Morro Santo Domingo), and are

referable to the newly described subspeci es borealis.
Nigel Taylor in hi s review (1984) expressed the
opinion that the plants from the more nort herl y
locality are a separate taxon, as yet undescribed,
having a much s horter central spine than that

described for the species. Following a meeting of

minds with the authors he has now described thi s
hitherto nameless but common- in-cultivation taxon ,
see subsp. borealis below.

Fig. 46: F fordii subsp. fordii on the way to Bahia

Tortugas. near Scammon's Lagoon, Baja California,

Mexico. surrounded by foreign invaders,
Mesembryamhemll1n crysrallillum

Ferocactu5 fordii
subsp. fordii
Thi s was described by Brinon
and Rose as g lobose to shortcy lindric, greyish-green, to
12c m in diameter, with
usually 2 1 ribs; radial spines
about 15, whitish, needl e-l ike,
widely spreadi ng; ce ntral
spines number us ually 4, one
f1ane ned, porrect, longer than
the others, to 4cm long (to 7cm according to Taylor),
curved or hooked at the tip, the other centrals slIbulate,
somewhat angled ; flowers are rose coloured, 35 to
40mm long, stigmas g reeni sh-yellow to whitish.
Fru it is ovoid, pink to greenish-yellow. Seed is more
or less round in outline, 2mm in diameter, mall black.
Pl ants we found bet ween Rosarito and Guerrero
Negro, in flat, sandy soil , certainly had a much longer
hoo ked centra l spine than those of subsp. borealis we
had seen much further north, and were sign ificantly

47

presented any undue prob lems, except that it seems

unwilling to flower at such a precocious age as the
beuer known subsp. borealis, and seed has proved
hard to come by.
Reported as expounded above, from Mexico, northern
Baja California, on the west coast, 'Lagoon Head'
(Morro Santo Domingo), and near the coast as far
north as Punta Blanca at near sea-level to 50m
altitude, in tlat, sandy areas.
Field collection number referred here is only the type,
Orcutt (US 1821079).
Synonym: Echinocactus fordii
Section Ferocactus F. robustus group
Fig. 47: F. fordii subsp. fordii south-east of Guerrero
Negro, Baja California, Mexico

showing no sign or flower, although those of subsp.

borealis we had seen a few days before were in full
flower at this time, in the spring. Plants rrom even
further south, near the Laguna Aguna 0' Jo de Liebre
showed even more robust spine development. These
were beautifully pictured in the article in Caclus &
Co. (2002), ref. below.
This comparatively unknown subspecies may prove
more difficult to grow in cultivation than its more
northerly brother because of its more harsh habitat,
but our limited experience of growing it has not

48

References:
Ferocactus fordii (Orcutt) Britton & Rose, The Cacr.
3:126, jig.J32 (1922) (jig .132 is a monochrome
reproduction of plate J1 of Schumann, Bliihende Kakt.
1 (1903)); Orcutt, Rev. Cact. 1:56 (1899); & 2:81
(1900); C. Lindsay, Caet. Suce. J. (US) 27(6):164-/65
(/955); N. P Taylor, Bradleya 2:34 (1984); Liudsay,
Ferocactus 257, 426 (/996) (1955 thesis, unpublished
at the time); E. F. Anderson, The Cactlls Family 329
(2001); J. Etter & M. Kristen, Cactus & Co. 6(1):2023 (2002).
Fig. 48: F. fordii subsp. fordii at Punta Canoas,
Baja California, Mexico

Ferocactus fordii
subsp. borealis
Named for its more northerly

occurrence, this subspecies is

by far the more commonly
seen in cultivation.
As indicated above Nigel
Taylor has only recently

described this subspecies, so

long languishing in our care
without a proper name. Since the publication in which
the description is not widely circulated it is repeated in
full here.

"In Bradleya 2:34 (1984) I commented that the

northern disjunct variant of Ferocactus fordii might
require a name. II remains much better known in
cultivation than the southern 'type' variant.
Subsequently the late Charles Glass indicated 10 me
thaI he too believed it was worthy of description and
probably a threatened taxon, whose naming would
increase its chances of being conserved in the wild.
More recently, John Pilbeam and Derek Bowdery have
written a soon-to-be-published account of the genus
for the benefit of amateur growers and John has
encouraged the following diagnosis to be published

herewith:

Ferocactus Jordii subsp. borealis N. P. Taylor

subspecies nova a subsp. fordii spinis centralibus
infimibus brevioribus (usque 4cm nec 7cm) minusque
prominentibus et floribus coloratis saturatioribus
differt. Holotypus: Mexico, Baja California Norte,
Bahia San QuinLin, 1984, D. J. Ferguson 8 (seed),
initially cultivated by S. Brack, Mesa Garden Nursery
(USA), then cultivated (ex seed from controlled
pollination of above) by D. Bowdery, July 2002 (Kin spirit)."
We saw and delighted in this subspecies on our first
visit to Baja California, and sought it out eagerly on
subsequent trips. After seeing the similarly low
growing F viridescens as our first Ferocaclus in this
wonderful peninsula, with greenish-yellow flowers
the rich pink flowers of this subspecies were a
colourful surprise, and the cameras clicked as we saw
plant after plant in flower, none larger than about
18cm (7 inches) in diameter, and a little shOJ1er than
wide, except for the odd one or two which had found
a little shade and were globular.

Fig. 49: F fordii subsp. borealis, a rare three-headed

clump south of San Quintin, Baja California, Mexico

49

Reported from northern BAJA CALIFORNIA, west coast,

between San Antonio del Mar and El Rosario, 30 to
31 N, and on Isla San Martin, EI Socorro, Santo
Oomingo Lagoon, N of Santa Maria Lagoons , San
Simon hill and about 16km E San Quintin Bay, San
Quintin, Cabo Colonel; on coastal sand dunes and fial,
grassy areas from near sea-level to 100m altitude.

Fig. 50: Ffordii subsp. borealis, flowering in cultivation

in the UK, type plant now pickled in the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew
The new central spines (usually 4) add to the
colouring, being glowing red, fad ing to brown and
then grey as they age; the lower, stronger of the central
spines is fiercely hooked, and as Nigel Taylor
describes it above, is shorter than that in the type, up
to 4cm lon g, never 7cm as in the type. The radial
sp ines are thin and flexible, with a few wispy bristlelike spines as well, more in older plants. Flowers vary
from rich pink to almost purple pink, more deeply
co loured than in the type.

50

Field collection numbers referred here are: holotype

OJF8 (seed collection) , initially cultivated by Steven
Brack, Mesa Garden, New Mexico, USA; then
cultivated from seed from controlled pollination of
above by Derek Bowdery, Jul y 2002 (K, in spirit);
Dawson without no., from Isla San Martin (A HFH );
Lindsay 560 (OS); Lindsay 2032, along the coast from
EI Rosario to Socorro, I mile south of Socorro beach
(OS, SD); Purpus without no. Santo Domingo
Lagoon, March 1898 (UC); c. F. Harbison without
no., just north of Santa Maria Lagoons, near San
Quintin, Sept. 8, 1955 (DS, SD); E. F. Harbison,
without no., hills of San Simon and about 10 miles
east of San Quintin Bay, Sept. 1955; Lau 1463; SB
1244; DJF 7, 8.
Reference:

Ferocactus fordii subsp. borealis N. P Taylor Cactus

Comensus Initiatives 14: /6 (2002)
Fig. 51: F fordii subsp. borealis about 20cm dia., north of
EI Rosario, Baja California, Mexico

Ferocactus glaucescens_
One of the most commonly grown Ferocactus species,
this one will flower at no more than 15cm in diameter,
given a favourable, sunny position. The glaucous blue
body makes it a favourite with enthusiasts for this
genus, the yellow spines contrasting wonderfully with
the stem-colouring, and the unusual, white fruits are
unique in the genus, also contrasting well with the
blue body. In cultivation plants will cluster and make
very handsome, large clumps, 60cm or more in
diameter, rarely more than about 30cm tall. Plants we
saw in the Mexican state of Queretaro, growing with
Thelocactus hastifer, were in great slabs of rock in
cracks, barely making large football size and solitary.
It was described by Britton and Rose as globular, 20 to
40cm in diameter, or a little higher than broad,
glaucous, with I I to 15 ribs, somewhat flattened,
acute; areoles oblong, yellowish, woolly when young;
radial spines 6, nearly equal, rigid, slightly spreading,
straight, 25 to 30mm long, pale yellow at first,
blackish when old, more or less banded; central spine
solitary, similar 10 radials; flowers yellow, 2cm long,
perhaps wider fully expanded, stigmas cream
coloured. Taylor added that the plants were solitary or
clustering, globular to cylindric, to 45cm, or

sometimes to 70cm tall, and to

50cm, sometimes 60cm in
diameter, usually glaucous,
with 11 to 34, sometimes to
44, ribs. There are 4 to 7,
sometimes 8 radial spines more or less equal in length,
to 25mm, sometimes to 35mm long, yellow; one
similar central spine, sometimes not present. Flowers
are yellow, 20 to 45mm long, 25 to 35mm wide, with
cream coloured stigmas. Fruit is globular or egg
shaped, 15 to 25mm long, 20mm in diameter, whitish
or yellowish tinged red, with yellowish, ciliate scales,
juicy. Seed is dark reddish-brown to black, very
smooth, shiny, 1.5 to 1.8mm long.
Reported from the Mexican states of HIDALGO,
QUERETARO and SAN LUIS POTosi; specifically from
HIDALGO, Canon de Venado near Metztitlan, San
Cristobal to Metztitlan, Zimapan, Tlatepeche and
Tolantongo, Xhaja, JacaJa; from QUERETARO, Villa
Hermosa, west of Jalpan, Bucareli; from SAN LUIS
POTosi, Arroyo Carrizal, Las Rusias, Sierra de
Alvarez, on the road from Zimapan to Tamazunchale,
Fig. 52: F. glaucescens, a large clump in cultivation in
Pierre Batigne's care in south-west France

51

Fig. 53: F glaucescens flowering

in cuhivation in the UK at
about 20cm dia.

and east of the town of San Luis Potosi;

on limestone, 1,000 to 2,300m altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here
are: neotype Lindsay 26 I I (DS)(also at
SD); Lindsay 2063 (DS); Schwarz
without no. (DS); Lau 1240; Rep. 50,
299,353, 10011, II44d, 1145b, 1708a,
J907b; CZlCH 249.
Synonyms:
Bisnaga
Echinocactus pfeifferi

glaueeseens,

Section Bisnaga F. glaucescens group

References:

Ferocaetus glauceseens (De Candolle)

Britton & Rose, The Caet. 3: 137
(1922); De Candolle, Mem. Mus. Hi!}'!.

Nat. Paris 17:115 (1828/9); ScinchezMejorada, Caet. Sue. Mex. 10(3):66,

72, figs. 38, 42d, 43d (1965);
Bracamontes, Cae!. Sue. Mex. 23(2):42
(1978); C. Unger, Kakt.u.a.Sukk.
29(8): 187 (1978); N. P. Taylar,
Bradleya 2:23 (1984); Unger, Die
grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 373-381

(1992); Lindsay, Femcactus 95-99, 110,

399, 427 (/996) (1955 thesis,
unpublished at the time); E. F.
Anderson, The Cactus Family 330

(200/)

Fig. 54: F glaucescens, an unusually large

clump in habitat near Zimapan,
Hidalgo, Mexico

52

Ferocactus gracilis
The red spination and slender stems of this species
make it one of the most beautiful to co me across in the
wild in Baja Cal ifornia, especia ll y in the area around
Catav ifi a, where it grows among huge boulders.
sometimes being naturally bonsaied by growing oul of
cracks in the rock. In cultivation it will produce its
glowing, red nowers when it has grown to about 20cm
tall and 12cm o r so wide, afte r about 10 years if it is
potted on regul arly in the early years, and grow n on as
fast as local conditions will allow. Grow ing this and
other spec ies oul of doors in the summer will enhance
the spin e development , increase the chance of
flow ering. keep the nectar down (by means of ant
aClivity or occasional showers of rain) so as to lessen
the chance of it being a lodg ing house for sooty
mould.
With its comparative ly n0l1hern occ urrence in the
Baja Cal iforn ia peninsula, it is su rpri sing that thi s
colourful, intensely red-spined spec ies was not
described until 1933, and the quest ion that springs to
mind is whal did earlier explorers think it was, a form
maybe of F. peninsuiae, anti cipating Unger's current
opinion that it is a variety of that species? We are
happy 10 go with others, endorsed by the 1999 CITES
Cactaceae Checklist, and regard it as a good species.

Ferocactus gracilis
subsp. gracilis
Thi s, the type, was described by Gates as usually
solitary, g lobose to cy lindri c, 10 3 m tall (most
common ly about half this heigh t), 30cm in diameter,
with 24 ribs, prominently
tuberculate; areoles narrowly
e lliptic, 15mm long. There
are 10 radial spines usua ll y 5
on each side of the areo le, at
first parallel, later more
s preading, needl e-li ke, whi tish becom ing dark grey in
age, 25 10 40mm long; central
sp ines 7 to 13, variab le, subu late except for the upper
middle one, which is ascending and flattened on both
sides, and the lower middle o ne, which is rounded
below, slightly concave above, more or less convolute
and occasionally hooked o n younger plants, all ribbed,
sharp, dull dark red with paler tips on some, all
becom ing black in age, as well as appressed and
interl ocki ng. Flowers were described as straw-yellow
wi th maroon stri pe down the outer su rface cent re of
Fig. 55: The wonderfully coloured Spill3tion of F gracilis
subsp. gracili.~, south of Calavina, Baja California

53

each pelal (bill on opening the impress ion is of

distinctly red llowers in our experience), fruit
oblong, yellow, seed black, shining. Taylor adds
that stems arc solitary unless damaged, bur we
have seen aged speci mens still growing at the
apex, but clustering from around the base, stems
with 16 to 24 ribs, somewhat tuberculate; the 8
to 12 radial sp ines are slender, whitish, with in
addition 9 to 12 stouter upper and lower radial
spi nes; there are two central spines, red with
yellow tips, the largest to 7cm, Ilaltc ned,
pointing downwards and more or less curved at
the tip, with one upwardly directed central spine
also flattened. Flowers appear in the su mmer,
40mm long, 35 mm wide. Fruit is ob long to
cylindric, 40 to 4511l1ll long, 25mm in diameter,
yellow, sometimes tinged reddish, with sclerous
(hard) scales. Seed is 1.75 to 2.25mm, 1.10 to
1.35mm wide, sh iny black.
Reported from Mexico, central to northern BAJA
CALIFORNIA, frolll the Sierra San Miguel
(Arroyo Socorro) to the vicinity or Jaraguay,
south of Cat avina, just inland frolll EI Rosario to
below Punta Prieta, Viscaino Desert on grani tebased subst rate, Mision San Fernando,
Cardonal; at 20-300m altitude.

Fig. 56 (right): F. gracilis subsp. gracilis,

a family group south ofCmaviiia, Baja
California

Fig. 57: A stunning and

unu sual large clump of

the normally solitarystemmed F. gracilis

subsp. gracilis

54

Field collection numbers referred here are: holol Ype

Gales 22 (OS); Lindsay 1846 (OS, SO); Lau 1216;
Rep. 257,267; S8 1280, 1281.
Synonym: F pel/insulae var. gracilis
Section Ferocactus F. robustus group
References:
FerocaclltS gracilis H Gales, ellc/. Succ. 1. (US)
4(8):323-324, with jig. (1933); Lindsay, Caet. Sue.
Mex. /O(3):76-91,jig.6/ (/965); N.PTaylor, Bradleya
2:30 (1984): Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakl.
Nordamer. 193-197 (1992) - as F pelliflsuiae var.
gracilis; LindsCIY, Ferocac/lts 239-252,280,401,428430 (1996) (1955 litesis, unpublished 01 the time); E.
F. Anderson, The Cactus Family 330 (2001)

Ferocactus gracilis
subsp. c%ratus
This subspecies, like the type,
is noted for its wonderful red
spi nes, which after a shower
of rain positively glow in their
brightness. The central spines
are much stronger and broader
than the type, and flattened ,
and this is the most obvious
difference from the type of the
spec ies, although intennediates can be found when
travelling from north to sOllth in its range. Gates got
the name "coloralus" from the native "colorado" (red)
lIsed 10 distinguiSh this plant from others in the area by
the colour of its spines; Ihis local name would have
applied equally of course to the type of the species.
It was described by Gates (as a species) in 1933, as
sol itary, globose to sub-cylindric, to I m tall (much
shorter than the type), 30cm in diameter, with 13 ribs
on young plants, increasing to 20 on mature
specimens. Radial spines 10- [4, bristle-like, or the
lowermost on each side occasionally like the smaller
of the central spines, spreading and slightly curled,
dull white. Central spines 9 or so metimes apparently
II when the two previously mentioned radial spines
become well developed. stiff, robust, spreading.
ribbed, bright brownish-red, all straight and sharp
except the middle lower one, which is flattened to lcm
wide and becoming Scm long. more or less concave
above, frequently bifid (divided in two) to the base,
porrect or Slightly deflected. the tips recurved and
hooked. The upper middle spi ne is also flattened bUI
straight. Flowers straw-yell ow with a reddish-purpl e

Fig. 58: The slim colu mn of F gracilis subsp. c%rallls in

habitat near San Ysidro, Baja Calirornia

stripe down the external surface of each perianth

segment. Fruit not seen by Gates.
This subspec ies is considered by Taylor distinct from
the type in its separate occurrence and its earlier
flowering. In his review Taylor describes it as having
a generally stouter ste m, to 2m tall , the spination very
variable, but often exposing more of the stem than the
type. The radial spi nes range from twisted and hairlike 10 stiffly need le-like, often fewer than the type or
not present. Central spines are very broad or narrow,
the lowermost slightl y to strongl y curved at the tip,
someti mes reduced to 5 or even 3. Flowers (in spring)
50mm long and wide, red or with the margins of the
petals yellow. Fruit is yellow. Seed is 2mm long. matt
black.

55

Reported from Mexico, in the south of the northern

part of the BAJA CALIFORNIA peninsula, from about El
Crucero (south of Laguna ChapaJa) to the vicinity of
El Arco (28 0 N), west to the coast at Miller's Landing;
Vizcaino Desert in sand or on granite; Santa
Rosalillita, and El Tomatil, 8km N of Mesquital ,
Rancho Tabalon; at 10-1 OOm altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here are: holotype
Gates 160 (OS 207823) (as F. eoloratus); Gates 43
(OS 207824) - as F. viscainensis; Lindsay 2013 (OS);
Lindsay 2003, 2008, 2013 (OS, SO); Lindsay DEG83 (DES); Harbison without no. (SO); Lau 56, 1555;
SEI2S3; PP 168.

56

Fig. 59: The top of a ,superbly-spined ~Iant of ,F. gra~'ilis .

subsp. coloratllS near Punta Pneta, Baja Cahfoffi13
tlowering in early spring

Synonyms: F. coloratus, F gracilis var. coloratus,

F. pen insulae vaL coloratus, F peninsulae subsp./var.
viscainensis, F viscainel1sis
References:
Ferocactus gracilis subsp. coloratus (H. Gates) N. P.
Taylor, Cactaceae Consensus Initiatives 6: 16 (1998);
H. Cates, Caet. Succ. J. (US) 4(9):344, with fig.
(1933); C. Lindsay, Caet. Suce. J. (US) 27(6):169
(1955); N. P Taylor, Bradleya 2:30 (1984); Unger,
Die grosserl Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 202 (1992) - as F.
pen insulae var. coloratlls; Lindsay, Ferocactus 240241, 245-248, 280, 431 (/996) (1955 thesis,
unpublished at the time); E. F. Anderson, The Cactus
Family 330 (2001)

Ferocactus gracilis
subsp. gatesii
Plants grown fro m seed sow n
in 198 1 are very si milar in
appearance to F. gracilis, and
Nigel Taylor's recent placing

as a subspecies here makes

good sense.

Thi s di sjunct island subspecies is worthy of detailed

consideration by the collector, being, as many of the
is land dwellers are, different e nough from the
collector's point of view to warrant it s inclu sio n in a
collect ion, w hatever its status. Unfortunate ly it is not
often seen co mmercially because of its rcmote
occurrence on s mall Baja Ca lifornia islands in the
Gulf of California near Bahia de los Angeles, not the
most accessi bl e or hospilabJe of islands. and with no
guarantee of course for those who do tind the ir way
there, of finding ripe fru it and seed of thi s species at
that time. Alfred Lau vis ited Isla Ventana in the early
19705, and seed he collected at that lime is probably
the source of moS( larger plants in cu lti vation loday.
He reported that the island is nearly totally infertile
with littl e vegetation , the cacti there (this species and
Mammillaria insularis) grow ing in shall ow va lleys

betwee n rolling hill s, in minera l soil. Paul Hoxey also

visited the island more recent.ly and describes how it is
mostl y su rrou nded by steep cliffs unsuitable fo r
landing, but there is a sma ll bay favou red by loca l
anglers as a resting point, with a gent ly sloping beach.
From there a path led up into the hill s, where there
were loose granite rocks with sparse vegetation ; it is
as A lfred Luu indi cated a very dry, nearl y barren
place. T he plants of thi s Ferocactus grew among the
loose rocks, and there were plants of all ages from
small seedlings no more than 2cm across to large,
aged plants nearly 1.5111 tall , the base of the latter
losing thei r spines and di sco louring. Plants in flower
inc luded so me at only about 12cm in diameter
(excluding the spines). As well as the cncourag ing
evidence of regeneration, it was the most numerou s of
the larger plants on the island, which included an
Agave. a Bllrsera growing low to the grou nd with
swo lle n ste ms, a few Pachycereus pringlei, a
FOflC/llieria, two different species of Opumia and
Mammillaria dioica and M. insularis. There were
man y Ferocactlls in abundant flower and with
ripening seed pods, with no evidence of predation
ev ident.

Fig. 60: F. gradli~' subsp. gate.sii in cultivation in the UK

flowering at only 15cm diu.

57

It was described as solitary, globose to short-cylindric,

to 1.5m tall, 30cm in diameter, with 30 to 32 acute
ribs. There are about 16 radial spines, those at the
sides thin, twisted and bristle-like, the two or three at
the top and at the bottom of the areole, stronger and
ribbed, similar to the usually 4 central spines, pink,
yellow or brownish-yellow, ageing to grey, flattened
and ribbed, to 70mm long, 3mm wide, the lower the
longest, curved at the tip, but not hooked. Flowers are
large, to 60mm long and wide, red, the inner petals
with yellow margins, stigmas yellow. Fruit too is
large, elongate, to 75mm long, 25mm in diameter,
yellow. Seed is black, to 2.5mm long, 1.75mm wide.

References:

Ferocae/us gracilis subJp. gatesii (C. Lindsay) N. P

Taylor, Caetaeeae Consenslls Initiatives 6:16 (1998);
G. Lindsay, Caet. Suec. 1. (US) 27(5):150.151,
jigs. 146, 147 (1955); N. P. Taylor, Bradleyo 2:30
(1984); Unger, Die grossen Kugeikakl. Nordamer.
238 (/992) . as F X gatesii; H. Milller,
Kakt.u.a.Sukk.47(JJ): Kart 21 (1996); Lindsay,
Feroeaetus 249252, 397 (/996) (/955 thesis,
unpublished at 'he time) - as F. gatesii; E. F.
Anderson, The Cactus Family 330 (2001)

Reported from Mexico, BAJA CALIFORNIA, in the Gulf

of California, on Isla Ventana, a small islet in the Isla
Smith group, on the north side of the entrance to Bahia
de los Angeles, 280 59.5' N, 1130 32.5' W, and known
only from islands and islets in this bay; at I-150m
altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here are: the type,
Moran 4103 (DS); Lindsay 2240 (DS, SD); Lau 24.
Synonyms: F. gatesii, F. x gatesii

58

Fig. 61: F. gracilia subsp. gatesii leaning towards the sea

on Isla Venlana, part of the Smith group of islands
in the Gulf of California, Baja California, Mexico

Ferocactu5 haematacanthu5
This is a slow growing species in cultivation, and
seldom seen. A more or less globular plant at least 20
years old in Derek's collection has reached only about
25cm in diameter, and has yet to oblige with flowers,
but the areoles have started to coalesce and form a
continuous woolly rib, and hopefully will flower
within the next few years; in recent years during the
spring buds have formed but aborted. The stems are a
most attractive, pale, apple green, contrasting well
wilh the blood-red spines, which have a continuous,
scimitar-like curve. Coming from southern Mexico,
in Puebla, a higher temperature than for most
Ferocactus species is probably required to ensure the
plants do not suffer.
Plants seen in the wild in March/April, in grassland,
had dark reddish-purple buds, promising flowers
within a few weeks, but not unfortunately while we
were able to see them, and we are indebted to Salvador
Arias Montes for his photo of this species taken at a
more propitious time.
Britton and Rose admitted that they did not know this
species, and in view of its southerly occurrence in

Puebla, this is not surprising.

They
repeated
Weber's
description of 1896, who
described this species as
simple, sometimes perhaps
proliferous, short-cylindric, 50cm tall, 30cm in
diameter, with 12 to 20 ribs, stout, light green. Spines
are all straight, reddish with yellowish tips, the radials
6, the centrals 4, 3 to 6cm long. Flowers are funnelform, 6cm long, purple; scales of ovary round, whitemargined. Fruit is ovoid, 30mm long, deep purple.
Charles Glass, who took us to see this species in the
wild a few years ago, published a more detailed
description of it in his last publication, which is worth
repealing, as it was based on detailed observation in
the field. He pictures a rare cluster of about 6 stems,
looking to be about a metre tall, and describes the
species as up to 1.2m tall, 38cm in diameter, ribs 13 to
27, prominent pale green, 4 to Scm taU and with
confluenllubercles on older specimens. Radial spines
6, needle-like, flexible, the 2 upper blood red the tips
white, 25 to 35nun long, those at the side white, 22 to
35mm long, the two lower red with white tips, 20 to
29mm long. Central spines 4, subulate, ribbed,
slightly flattened, erect, rigid, in cross formation,
blood red with yellowish tips, the lowest the longest,
4 to 7cm long. Flowers are funnelform, opening
widely, 7cm long and wide, rosy purple, filaments and
anthers yellow, stigma lobes intensely yellow. in
habitat were all solitary, no more than about 50 or
60cm tall and two-thirds as wide, with prominent,
narrow ribs, the spines yellow tipped, and with dark
reddish-purple flower buds.
The plants we saw with him were all solitary, no more
than about 50 or 60cm tall and two-thirds as wide,
growing among grasses.
Reported from the Mexican states of PUEI3LA and
around their border: on the road between
Tehuacan and Cumbres de Acultzingo, Esperanza,
Barranca de Acultzingo, and Barranca de Maltrata,
Puerto del Aire W of Acultzingo, Azumbilla to
Morelos Canada; from VERACRUZ, at Maltrata, very
near the border with PUEBLA; at 1,750-2,500111
altitude.
VERACRUZ

Fig. 62: An aged F. haematacanthus in the PueblaJ

Veracruz border area, west of Orizaba, Mexico

59

Synonyms:
Bisnaga
haematacantha,
Echinocactus eleetracanthus [var.J Iwemaraeantltus, E. haematacanthus
Section Bisnaga F. iatispinus group
References:

Fig. 63: The promising purple buds on a mature 50cm diameter top of
F. haematacanthus in habitat

Field collection numbers referred here are: Purpus

5358, 5497 (UC); neotype Sanchez-Mejorada 10786
(MEXU); Lau 1054; Rep. 1350a.

60

Feroeaetus haematacantllUs (SaLm-Dyek) H.

Bravo-Hollis ex Backeberg & F. Klluth.
Kaktus-ABC 352 (1935 flubl. 1936); SalmDyck, Caet. Hart. Dyek. 1849:/50 (1850);
Manville ex F. A. C. Weber in Bois, Diet.
Hart. 1:466 (J 896); Britton & Rose, The
Caet. 3: 147 (1922); Sdnchez-Mejorada,
Caet. Sue. Mex. 9(2):41 (1964); & 11(2):3140,51-52, lVith figs. (1966): Krahenbuhl,
Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 31( 1): 14-16 lVithfigs. (1980);
N. P Taylor, Bradleya 2:24 (1984; Lindsay,
Feroeaetus 329, 432 (1996) (1955 titesis,
unpublished al the lime); Glass, ldent. Guide
Threatened Cacti Mexico 1:FElHA, pages
unnumbered (1998, puhl. 1997); Salvador
Arias Montes, Caetu~' & Co. 4(1):20-29
(2000); E. F. Anderson, The Cactus
Family330-331 (2001)

Fig. 64: The superb dark purple flowers of

F. /wcmatacallfhus in habitat at Morelos Canada,
Puebla, worth striving for in cultivation.

Fig. 65: A youngish plant of F haemawmmhus with a

solitary fruit and showing the continuous felting
on the ribs. on Cerro La Carreta, Puebla, Mexico
Fig. 66: F. haematac(lnthus, a rare ancient clump of this
little-known species in habitat

61

Ferocactu5 hamatacanthu5
This species has been known in cultivation for many
years as Hamatocactus hamatacanthus, or by those
who insist on shortening the names or giving
nicknames to their plants, as "Ham squared". But the
placing by Britton and Rose, over 70 years ago is more
in keeping with the current trend towards
amalgamation of genera, and it was tirmly returned
here by Nigel Taylor in his review of 1984, recently
endorsed in the CITES Cae/oceae Checklist (1999).
We are bound to point out that unlike all other species
this one does not have clearly formed ribs, and many
enthusiasts have hung doggedly on to the more
familiar name Hamatocactus.
Hamatocactus
setispinus, the other species in the now discredited
genus HamatocacllIS has been referred to the genus
Thelocactus.

F hamatacanthus is divided into two subspecies,

which intergrade:

Ferocactus hamatacanthus
subsp. hamatacanthus
The type was described as so litary, rarely clustering in
the wild ror in cultivation-I, hemispheric to cylindric,
the stem to 60cm tall, 30cm in diameter, [mid to
brownish-green], with 12 to 17, rounded, strongly
tuberculate ribs. There are S to 20 radial spines, 15 to
40mm (rarely to SOmm) long, with 4 to 8 central
spines, to SOmm long (or exceptionally up to
165mm is reported), round or somewhat
flattened in section, recurved to hooked at the
tip, stiff, sometimes twisted. Flowers are large
in comparison with other species, and for a
comparatively small plant, to about 7cm long
and nearly lOcm in diameter, yellow with
yellow stigmas. They can be produced on
plants no more than about 10cm in diameter, but
a sunny situation is needed for this.
As
mentioned above a fundamental difference from
other species is that even in maturity this
species is tuberculate rather than ribbed.
Taylor's report in his review of the flower being
"often red in the throat" was based on Weniger's
description, but was doubted by him (Taylor) in
a later issue of Bradieya, and this is endorsed by
the authors who have never seen a flower of this
Fig. 67: F. hamatacanthlls subsp. hamatacamhlls
(formerly "HAM l "), with angler's spines
awailing the unwary trouser-leg in San Luis
PotOSI, Mexico

62

species (correctly identified that

is) with red in the throat. Fruit is
ovoid to oblong, to 50mm long,
to 25mm in diameter, pinkishred, the interior juicy, often
bursting near the apex and exuding
sweet fluid. Seed is black, to 1.6mm.
In the wild this is often a scruffy looking plant with a
tangle of long, greyish spines, straw yellow in youth,
and hooked at the tip, waiting like a patient angler to
snare your unwary ankle. In cultivation it rarely
makes a handsome plant, and is seldom seen doing its
best to warrant the space it needs to grow to maturity,
the owner often giv ing up before it reaches anything
like its potential size.
Reported from USA and Mexico; specifically from
USA: south-east NEW MEXICO; west and south TEXAS,
including specifically Pecos County and C rockett
County; from Mexico, west of Sierra Madre Oriental,
mostly in Chihuahuan desert, widespread from the
states of CHIHUAHUA in the south; DURANGO in the
east; SAN LUIS POTosi and ZACATECAS; reported also
extensively from the states COAHU ILA, NUEVO LE6N,
TAMAULIPAS and PUEBLA; at IO-2 ,150m altitude.

Fig. 68: F IIQIn(l/(lC(llIfhus subsp.

hamatacamhus, nowering
in cultivation in Austria

Field
co ll ection
numbers
referred here arc: L. & R. L.
Benson 15507 (POM); D. S. &
H. S. Correl 30894 (LL); Rep.

377a, 420, 451, 459, 469, 548,

1080b, 1083c, II 92a, 1202c,
15 37, 1678a, 1845, 2164c,
2270b, 2283a, 2296c, 2303d,
233 1b, 2335b, 2336b, 2352c;
GL 150; SB 393, 1096; CZlC H
011 ; CSD 239.

Sy nonyms: Bisnaga I/Omaracanllw, Ecliinocacltls

hamatacantlllls, . /oflgihamatlls, . longihamatus
var. erassispimls, F. /wmaracanlJlIIs var. crassispintls,
HamalO -cacrus hamatacanlllus
Section Bisnaga F. tati spi nu s grou p.

References:
Ferocactlls hamatacanthus (MuehJenpJordt) BriuOfI &
Rose, The Caet. 3: 144, pl.16.1 (1922); Muehlellpfordt,
Allg. Gartel/, . 14:371 (1846); L Bel/son, Cacti US &
COllado 706, 708, 950, figs. 746, 747, col.pl.124
(1982); N. P Tayla.; Bradleya 2:27 (1984): Ullger,
Die grossell Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 345 ( 1992);
Lindsay, Ferocae/Ils 332 (1996) (1955 thesis,
IlI1fJubli!ihed al tlte lime); Hunl (ed.), CITES Cae!.
Checklist 205 (1999); E. F. Anderson, Th e Cacllls
FeU/lily 331 (2001)

F. hamatacanthus
subsp. sinuatus
Also known under the name
Hamarocactlts sinuatus thi s
has been a popular plant for
coll ec tors for as long as we
can remember, grow ing easily
from seed, and reaching
flowering size within a few
years, as earl y as 3 or 4 years
from seed, unlike the much
slower-growing type. The flowers are showy and
large, bri ght ye ll ow, and are perhaps the best feature
of a comparative ly weak-spined plant in thi s genus.
With the type, it presents so mewhat of an anoma ly,
hav ing a distinctl y different appearance from the
majority of Ferocacllls, and many growers have
continued, and will continue we are su re, to label them
Fig. 69: F. hamatac(mll/lls su bsp.

simla/tiS

nowering well in

the USA

63

with the now discredited generic name Hamatocaetus.

Whatever you call it this is a worthwhile plant to grow,
and will reward you at an earlier age than most in this
genus with bloom.
It was described as having a stem to 30cm tall , to
20cm in diameter, mature when smaller, with 13
narrow, more acute and well-defined ribs than in the
type. There are 8 to 12 radial spi nes, some of which
are markedly flattened , varying in length from I to
nearly 6cm long, red to purple with yellowish lips or
all yellowish, all grey in age. There are 4 central
spines, the upper three arc 3 to 6.Scm long, straight,
yellowish with red banding, the lowermost strongly
flattened, strongly hooked and more or less hendy, S to
gem long, reddi sh, later all grey. Flowers are yellow,
about 6 to 7 .Scm long and wide or wider, stigmas
yellow. Fruit is elongated-globose, to 2Smm long and
to about ISmm wide, dark greenish to dark brownishred, juicy. Seed is up to I mm, shiny black.

Reported from USA and Mexico;

specifically from USA: south -east
TEXAS, east of Devil's River, in San
Patricio County; and southwards into
Mexico in the north-east, on the east
side of the Sierra Madre Oriental: from
COAHU ILA at Nueva Rosita; from
TAMAuLiPAs, in Ciudad Victoria near
Santa Engracia, Jaumavc, San Vicen te,
Calles; from
NUEVO LE6N. III
brush lands at low e levat ions, Linares,
Presa ROdriguez Gomez, Rayones, EI
Mirador, E of Monterrey, Huasteca Canyon near Monterrey, Puerto de la Boca,
Cerro de la Silla near Cade reyta,
Jimenez near Monterrey: at 3S0 to
1,300m altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here
are: Wright without no. (Mo); R. O.
Albert 51.1 (POM); Rep. 382, 390, 400,
I 294a; SB 282, 319; GL 152, 153.
Synonyms: Bisl1aga hamataeantJw var.
sinuata, Echil10cactus longihamatus
sinuatus, E. sefispilltts sinllatlls, E.
Sil1l1atlls, F. hamatoeactus var. s;lluatus,
Hamato cactus .\'inuatlls

Fig. 70: F Iwmatacantll//S subsp. simwtlls

nowering early in life in the UK if

as well as in the USA

not

64

References:

Ferocactus hamatacalllltus subsp. sinuatus (A

Dietrich) N. P. Taylor, Caet. Cons. Init. 5:13 (1998);
A. Dietrich, Allg. Gartenz. 19:345 (1851) - as
Eehinoeaetus; L. Benson. Cael. Suce. 1. (US)
41(3):128 (1969); B,-iIlOIl & Rose, 3:144-146, ftg.152
(1922); O'-CIIII, Cactography 1-5 (1926); Vllger,
Kak/.ll.o.Sukk. 31(10):289-291, lVi/hftgs. (1980); Die
grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 360 (1992); Lindsay.
Ferocactus 332 (1996) (1955 thesis. unpublished at
the time); E. F. Anderson. The Cactus Family 331
(2001)

Ferocactus histrix
This is a very widespread species, invariably solitary,
but not making the height of some of its more weighty
relations, often remaining globular, only in age
becoming shortly cylindrical. The curving spines on
young plants make it a most attractive species to grow
from a small plant, and in cultivation it will grow
quickly into an impress ive globular plant, sometimes
doubling the number of ribs in a growing season.
Even when a sizable plant has been achieved the
yellow spines make it a most attractive add ition to a
collection. It will flower at about 25cm in diameter in
cultivation, the yellow flowers add ing to the lustre of
the yellow spines.
Il is in some danger from the custom of making a
sweetmeat from the flesh of the plant by soaking
chopped up pieces of it in a sugar solution. Charles
Glass was concerned at the depredation of wild plants
for this purpose, and had ideas about teaching the
Mexican perpetrators of this practice how to grow and
cultivate plants from seed for this purpose. Given
their slowness of growth to make any size which
would be useful for this purpose, and a natural
impatience for results, this scheme was unlikely ever
to have succeeded.
Fig, 71: A huge ball-shaped F. hislI"ix, 60-70cm wide near
La Florida, high in the Sierra Gorda, Guanajuato, Mexico

Although the name Echinome/oeaeri/onni:,' is

older than . histrix, Taylor
dismisses it as of uncertain
app lication, and takes E.
histrix, described within a year or so of E.
melocaeti/ormis as representing a surer application to
the taxon in question.

cactus

Britton and Rose described this species (favouring the

name F. melomeli/ormis) as simple, cylindric, 50 to
60cm in diameter, bluish-green; ribs about 24, areoles
2 to 3cm apart. Spines are usually 10 to 12, a little
curved, yellow, becoming brown, of which 6 to 8 are
slendersubulate, 2 to 3cm long , more or less
spreading; 3 or 4 spines are more central, but usually
only one definitely so, much stouter and longer, 4 to
6cm long, porrect or ascending, annulate. Flowers are
25mm to 35mm long, bright yellow, sometimes
reddish outside, stigmas green. Fruit is short-oblong,
about 20mm long. Seed is I mm long, brown.
Taylor amplified this description a little: stems
depressed-globose to short-cylindric, to IIOcm tall,
80cm in diameter (but often less than 60cm tall or in
diameter), with 20 to 40 or more ribs, the areoles
almost merged. There are 6 to 9 radial spines, and I
to 4 central spines, the uppermost 23 to 35mm long,
the lowermost to 90mm,
standing out from the
body, and often a little
downcurving. Flowers
arc yellow, 20 to 35mm
long and wide. Fruit is
20 to 30mm, juicy,
sometimes bursting at
apex and releasing
seeds in fluid. Seed is
up to 1mm long, dark
brown.
Reported from a wide
area in the Mexican
states of DURANGO,
ZACATECAS,
AGUASCALIENTES, JALISCO,
SAN
Luts
POTosi,
GUANAJUATO,
QUER[TARO,
HlDALGO;
specifically
from
DURANGO in the south-

65

Fig. 72: Three massive globes of

F hisrrix after ra in in the
mountai ns of San Lu is
Potosi. Mex ico

eas t;
from
ZACATECAS,
Troncoso,
La
Cie nega,
Ojoca lientes,
Pinos,
La
Hu iguerra, Monte Escobedo/E I
Sa ito, Huejuquill a, La Blanca;
fro m AauAscA Ll ENTES, La
Pun ta, San Gil; from eaSlern
JALISCO, 37km W Ojuelos, La
Paz; from SAN LUIS POTOSt,
Bocas,
Mex quiti ccharcas,
Escalarias, Zaragoza de Sol is,
Labor Vieja, Arroyo Carrizal E
of San Lu is PotOSI, Huacuma,
Pedro Mon toya (San C iro),
Ciudad Hidalgo, Ojo Ca lie nte,
Ahual ulco, La Presa, Verba
Buena, Sierra Alvarez, Tinaja, Arroyo Pila, Leoncilo,
Jasos, Porve nir, Buena Vista/San Rafae l; fro m
GUANAJUATO, San Luis de la Paz, Villa Victoria, San
Feli pe, Puerta Caroza, La Posta, AlOtoniico, Calera,
Tierra Bla nca, Barranca Cedros nea r Sa n Jose
Iturbide, Carboneras near Pozos, San Diego, Trancas
near San Lui s de la Paz, Organitos/Canada Moreno;
from QUERETARO, Vizarro, E Cadereyta, rnou ntajns
around Colon, Villa Hermosa, Higuerras, Higueri llas
to San Pablo pass near Bernal, Toliman near Bernal,
Bucareli , Amoles at Rio Moc tczuma, Queretaro, Rio
San Juan; frorn HIDALGO, near Vizarron, at 1200 to
2600m altitude, Barranca de Venados, San Cristoba l
10 Metztitlan, Cardona l, Gilo, Agua Blanca,
Ixmiq uilpan/ Portezue lo, Toliman, Tecozautla,
Mezq uilai, Taqu ill o, Metzti tlan, Rincon; at 1,2002,600m altitude, on non-calcareous soils.
The neotype c ited by Li ndsay is a water-colour plate
by Heyland on whi ch A. P. de Cando lie wrote the
determination of th is species (as Eehi,/Ocaellis hisfrix)
in the general collecti on of the Herbier Delessert ,
Conservato ire et Jard in Botaniques, Geneva,
Sw itzerl and; the holotypc seems not to have been
preserved. Nigel Tay lor in 1984 promoted thi s same
water colour plate by designat ing it as the lectotype
fo r thi s species; lectotype has precedence over a
neotype.
Fie ld collection numbers referred here are: Lindsay
2031,2576 (OS, SO); Orcutt 1924 1581 (OS); Purpus
5358,5497 (UC); Lau 14 15; Rep. 25, 38, 297, 300,
345,974, 1736b, 1737b, 1757a, 18 16c, 1823a, 1825b,
I 878b, 195 I b, 2007a, 2020c, 2030, 2033a, 2038b,

66

204l b, 2045, 2054b, 2127d, 213 1a, 2 140, 2254a,

2258a, 2270c, 2352b, 2355a; OJ F 603; SB 1877;
CZlC H 25 1; CS O 290, 309.
Sy nonyms: Bisnaga hislrix, Echi,locaellls hislrix,
F. eleetracamlws Hort., F meloeacli/ormis, F. hyslrix
in error
Section Bisnaga F. latispinus group
References:
Feroeaeflls hislrix (De Candoile) G. Lindsay, Cael.
SLIce. J. (US) 27(6):171-173, fig.159 (1955); De
Cando/le, Mem. Mus. Hisr. Nat. Paris 17:115 (1829);
De Cando/le, Prodr. 3:462 (J828); Britton & Rose,
The Caet. 3: 138 (1922) - as F. meloeaefl!ormis;
Sanchez-Mejorada, Cael. Sue. Mex. 10(3):66, 72,
figs.36, 37, 42e, 43e (1965); Castillo Sallehez, Caet.
SLle. Mex. 28(1):3-12 (1983); UI/gec Die grossel/
Kugelkakt. No rdamer. 3 17 (1992); Lindsay,
Feroeaetus 1/5-122, 139, 405, 433 (1996) (1955
thesis, unpublished at the time); . F. Anderson, The
Cactus Family 33J-2 (2001)

Ferocactus johns tonian us

OUf experience of this island species in cultivation is

limited lO 10 year old seedlings, with spine colours

varying from yellow to red in youth. In their short life
so far they have reached about 15cm tall and about
IOcm in diameter. Nor have we visited this species in
habitat - yet. We are therefore particularly indebted to
Mark Muradian for pictures of authentic plants in

cultivation in the USA, grown to flowering size.

Seed is seldom offered because of its remote, island
occurrence, but Lall collected seed there in 1979, and
there are resulting seedlings in enthusiasts'
collections, which must be getting to a good size now.
But seed from Mark Muradian's plants has been
offered by the US Society in recent years.. It should

nol be missed when offered,

as this is really the only means
of obtaining plants of this rare
species, short of intrepid visits
to the remole paris of Isla
Angel de la Guarda with a permit to collect seeds,
always assuming that you pick the right time to find
plants in fruit, and the natural predators of the seeds
have not beaten you to it. Many fruits we have seen
on Ferocactus species have been raided by ants for the
sweetness inside the fruit, and neat holes at the bottom
of the fruit have maybe allowed the seed to escape.
Nigel Taylor once famously described these holes as
"pith pores" to the delight of a US convention
audience.
It was considered in his 1984
review by Nigel Taylor to be
"probably only a disjunct, island
variety of F. cylindraceus." But he
nevertheless provisionally maintained it in the CITES Cactaceae
Checklist (1999); in personal
communication he has said that he
believes the relationship to be
between F. wislizeni subsp. tiburonensis, via F. johnstonianus to
F cylilldracells. Unger, who prefers
the name F. acanthodes to F. cylindrace LIS, regards it as a variety of that
species, viz. F. acanthodes var.
johnstonianus. Anderson lists it as a
species, adding that it "may be
merely a population of F. cyfindraceus; morphologically it connects
F. cylindracclls with F. wislizcni".
With its island isolation, some distance from plants of F. cyfindraceus,
we are happy to regard it as a good
species. It is a worthwhile plant to
grow, whatever you call it, with
stunning, bright yellow mature
spination its most attractive feature.

Fig. 73: F. joimstoniallus in cultivation in the open in California, USA, from

which seed has recently been made available to the US Society

It was erected by Britton and Rose,

who described it as simple, shortcylindric, to 60cm tall , to 35cl11 in
diameter, with 24 10 31 ribs, having
undulate margins; areoles elliptic,
rather closely set. There are 20 or
more subulate spines, very much

67

alike, none hooked , sli ghtly spreading, more or less

curving olltwards, to 7cl11 long, yellow to brownishyellow. ribbed. Flowers including ovary are Scm
long , ye ll ow ish, or with outer petals tinged red,
stigmas Oesh coloured. Fruit is 25mm in diameter,
yellow. Seed is shiny black, 2 to 2.5mm long, 1.5mm
wide.
Taylor adds to the above description only that the
spines number 22 to 25.
Reported fro m Mex ico, BAJA CALIFORN IA, in the Gulf
of California , on Isla Ange l de la Guarda, in a wash
behind a lagoon on the east side of Ihe island . Lau
reported that the main locutio n of plants on the island
was from hi gh in the mountains, near the highest peak
on south facing slopes of rock (see picture below); at
I-300m alt itude.
Field co llection numbers referred here are: holotype 1.
M. Johnston 3394 (US), 3395 (US, CAS); Lindsay
539 (DS, SD); Lau 12 14.
Synonym: F. acal/fllOdes var. jO},IIstolliallus
Section Ferocactus F. robustus group

Fig. 74: F. jolmslOfliaflllx close-up in flower. a symphony

in yellow

91, jig. 47(1965); Lau, Cael. Slice. 1. (US) 53(5);22/223, jig.,. 2-4 (1981); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:34
(1984); Unger, Die grossel/ Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 132
(1992) - as F. acafllhodes ,'ar.jolmstoniallltS; Lilldsay,
FerocaclL/s 309-3 13, 324, 434 (1996) (1955 Iilesis,
ulljJllblixhed at the time); E. F. Anderson, The Cactus
Family 332 (2001)

References:
Ferocacf/ls jOJlIlstOI/;WIIIS Britton & Rose, Th e Caet.

4:287 (1923); G. Lilldsay, Cael. Sue. Mex. 10(3):76-

68

Fig. 75: The steep, high slopes where F. joJlIlsfonilllllls is

found on the Isla Angel de la Guarda in Ihe Gulf
of California, Mex ico

Ferocactus iatispinus
This is a wonderfully spined species to grow in
cullivation, with the broadest, flat spines seen in any
species. It needs maximum light to bring out the best
in spine development, and to encourage flowering
which will occur once it gets to about IOem in
diameter. It is not a large-growing species, and
usually stays shorter than broad. It is popular with
commercial growers in the Canary Islands, and
beautiful plants are often seen for sale in Europe
commercially emanating from there, where clearly the
growing conditions favour the best development of
spines and tlowering capabi lities.
It seems to be difficult to keep grow ing well in

cultivation, and frequent repotting is recommended in

the early years. A further difficulty arises in the UK
with its late production of flower buds, which often do
not develop as the days shorten and the temperature
drops at night. If this occurs it is advisable, in order
to encourage the flowers to open, to raise the
temperature in the glasshouse to about 15C, or
perhaps more economically to bring the plant into the
dwelling house and keep it in the sunniest spot.

Taylor rejects the name

F. recurvus as of imprecise
application, preferring the
name F. latispinus subsp.
spiralis for plants of this
relationship occurring in Oaxaca, with a somewhat
different aspect and flowers. Unger recognizes F
reCllrvus as a good spec ies, and places F. latispinus
beneath it, i.e. as F. recurvlls var. latispinusl We
regard them as sufticiently different to maintain as
separate species, see f~ recurvlIs on p. 89.
In the wild F. iatispinlls is frequently found half
hidden by surrounding grasses and other vegetation,
waiting like a mantrap for the unwary foot to try out
the thickness of its bootsole.
II was described as depressed-globose or flattened, to
30cm tall, 40cm in diameter, with about 21 ribs in
maturity, body green to yellowish-green. There arc 9
to 15 radial spines, varying from fine, white needlelike spines to dark yellowish or reddish brown, about
Fig. 76: F. /a{ispinus in glorious flower in cultivation in
the USA

69

plants, 4cm long and wide, stigmas yellow. Fruit is

ovoid, purplish-red, to 2Smm long, 18mm in diameter,
juicy, covered with densely overlapping, acute, hard
scales. Seed is 1.5 to 1.8mm, I mm wide, dark brown
to black, shiny.

Fig. 77: F. latispinus ready to spike the unwary foot in the

wilds of San Luis Potosi, Mexico

2.5cm long. There are 4 central spines dark reddishbrown or amber coloured, the upper three ascending,
to 4cm long, straight, flattened, the lowermost
descending, to SOmm long and noticeably much
wider, 9mm, curved to hooked at the tip , strongly
ribbed. Flowers are purpli sh-pink on red-brown
spined plants or whitish-yellow on amber-spined

70

Reported widespread in the Mexican states of

DURANGO, ZACATECAS, SAN LUIS Paros!, state of
MEXICO, MEXICO OF (Distrito Federal), MICHOACA N,
MORELOS , QUERETARO, HIDALGO, GUANAJUATO,
JALISCO; specifically from DURANGO, Partido de
Nombre de Dios; from ZACATECAS, Troncoso, Ojo
Caliente, Alamo, Pinos, Zacatecas to Saltillo; from
SAN LUIS POTosi, E of San Luis POtOSI, Salinas, Jasos,
Soldad, Arriaga, N of San Luis PotOSI, Leoneilo,
Zaragoza de Solils, Ahualulco, Porvenir; slate of
MEXICO, Teotihuacan, Tulpetlac, Santa Catarina to
Tezcoco; from MEXICO OF, Indio Verde, Cerro
Zacoalco; from MICHOACA N, Mesa Central; from
MORBLOS, at Cuautla; from QUERETARO, Del Ciervo a
San Juan Alta Mirano, San Juan del Oro, E Cadereyta,
Colon, Tequisquiapan, La Canada, San Juan del Rio,
Vizarron, Higuerillas to San Pablo to the pass at
Bernal, Toliman near Bernal, San Antonio, Queretaro,
Saucillo; from HIDALGO, Nand E of Pachuca,
Fig. 78: F latispinus hiding in the shubbcry near Cerro
Bernal, Tamaulipas, Mexico

Ixmiquilpan, Tula, Santa Matilda, Cardonal, Los

Arcos, EI Manzana, Tecpatepec to Tulancingo, Xhaja,
Ixmiquilpan to Portezuelo s; from GUANAJUAro,
Dolores Hidalgo, Villa Victoria, Puerta Carosa, San
Felipe, La Posta near San Miguel Allende, Organitos
to Canada Moreno, Carboneras, Pozos, Atotonilco,
Calera, Trancas and San Luis de la Paz, San Diego,
San Luis de la Paz; from JALISCO, La Paz, Cuarenta; in
grassy plains and rocky hillsides at 1,500-2,500m
altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here are: neotype

Lindsay 2583 (DS); Lindsay

2034,2035 (DS); Lindsay 2581,
2593, 2594 (DS, SD); Pringle
3270 (UC, MEXU); Altamirano
1730 (MEXU); Orcutt 2660
(DS); Dawson 3084 (AHFH);
Matuda 19436 (UC); Lau 1406;
Rep. 7, 17,26,39,47,64,77,
139, 141,344,609, 609a, 801,
906a, 1001g, 1096a, 1171a,
I 252b, I 260a, I 397b, 1411a,
1463a, 1625c, I 678b, 1736a"
1816b, 1878a, 1967a, 1980a,
1983a, 2020b, 2034b, 2127c,
2139, 2258b, 2266a, 2270a;
F0.52, 71; SB 548, 549, 1584,
1639; CZlCH 226; LH 296.

References :
Ferocactus latispinlls (Haworth) Britton & Rose, The

Cact. 3:143 (1922); HalVarth, Phil. Mag. 63:41

(1824); H Bravo-Hollis, Coer de Mex. fig. 226
(1937); Glass, Cael. Suee 1. (US) 40(4):161, fig. 5
(1968); Krahenbuhl, Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 34(7)162-163
(1983); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:26IVilhfig. (1984); &
5:96 (1987); Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt.
Nordamer. 302 (1992) - as F. recurvus var. latispinus;
Lindsay, Ferocactus 149-155, 191, 435 (1996) (1955
thesis, unpublished at the time); E. F. Anderson, The
Cactus Family 332 (200 I)

Synonyms: Bisnaga comigera,

B. recurva subsp. latispina,
Cactus iatispillu'<;, Echinocacllls
cornigerlls, F latispinus vaL
fiavispinus, F recurvus vaL
latispinus
Section Bisnaga
F. latispinus group

71

Ferocactus

Iind~ay(

This is a species seldom seen in cultivation, since seed

is not often offered. This is not surprising in view of
its occurrence in one of the morc remote parts of a
remote state of Mexico, Michoacun. When it is
offered, the opportunity to grow this rare species
should be seized, as it is a lovely, attractively-spined,
bluish-green bodied addition to a collection of this
genus. It will not take low temperatures, which
threaten its survival in the UK in cultivation, at least
JO"e should be maintained for safety. Plants seen in
cultivation in the Canle Botanic Garden, in San Miguel
Allende, Guanajuato, had bright, buttercup yellow
flowers on stems only about 25cm tall. Seedlings
raised in Derek's collection in Norfolk, where winters
arc not kind, got to about IOcm in diameter in 6 years
before a bad winter demolished them.
We visited the southern part of the stale of Michoacan
in the autumn of 2003 to see this rare species for
ourselves. When we got to the turnoff for the Canyon
of Infiernillo the road had a barrier indicating that we
should not proceed further. After a few enquiries from
local people at the junction we learned that a bridge
had collapsed, but that it was safe to proceed for about
20km. So we drove around the bamer and proceeded
with caution, looking out apprehensively for bridges,
collapsed or otherwise. We saw a few small plants on

the journey down into the

canyon, in near-inaccessible
places on the sides of the deep
cut road, but gave them a miss
until such time as we were
maybe forced to turn back. But after a little more than
20km we came to a new bridge across the old road we
were travelling upon, clearly part of a new, more
sophisticated road, as yet incomplete. On the left side
of the road on a steep hillside beside the new bridge we
spotted a good sized colony of this Femcaelus some
way up. The patiently waiting plants, in full flower in
celebration of our visit, were reached after a steep
climb on treacherously loose rock. There were several
hundred plants from small seedlings to flowering
plants no morc than about 15cm in diameter, and
mature plants to about 80cm or more, a few with one
or two offsets around the base.
Since Ferocactus are not the most desirable to the
human predators who collect wild plants, and because
of their size (it would not take many to fill a suitcase),
it is hoped that the area remains as rich in the
abundance of this species as the photographs show.
A report of a visit to this species in the wild by Nigel
Taylor appeared in Bradleya 5, wherein he says that he
was "immediately impressed by its resemblance to the
species of section Ferocactlls F. pottsii Group,
especially F. emoryi and F. pottsii, and having located
a plant in fruit this relationship was confirmed: they
the fruits are
have a dry interior and basal pore.
bright red, whereas yellow is more common in section
Ferocactus, but it is interesting to note that Glass and
Foster describe the fruits of F. pottsii var. alamosanus
[now considered by Taylor as a good species] as red
also. Where I observed it F. lindsayi inhabits bare
rocky cliffs".
In endorsement of the hostile locality Niall McCarten
after a visit there wrote about it in the US journal of
1973 under the title 'A Visit to the Valley of Little
Hell', i.e. a literal translation of the name Infiernillo.
Since he was there at the height of the summer he
confirmed that the name was appropriate.
Fig. 81 (opposite page): F lindsayi, mother and children
on the steep rocky slopes in habitat
Fig. 80 (left): A group of F lindsayi near the remote
Presa de lnfiernillo, Michoacan, Mexico

72

73

It was described as globose to short~cylindric, stems to

60cm tall, 40cm in diameter, glaucous green, with 13
to 18 ribs. There are 5 or 6 radial spines, 25 to 30mm
long, and one central spine, 45mm long, straight, not
flattened. Flowers are yellow, SOmm long, 34mm
wide, with yellow stigmas. Fruit is ovoid, about
ISmm long, bright red, with dry interior and basal
pore. Seed is distinctive, to I mm, elongate, curved,
dark brown to black, tiny compared to other
Ferocactus species and boomerang-shaped.

Reported from the Mexican state of MICHOACAN,

basin of Rio BaJsas, south-east of Apatzingan, at
InfierniIJo; road from Uruapan to Infiernillo, Presa de
Inficrnillo, Cuenca del Balsas, Paso de Chivo; a( 250300m altitude.
Field collection number referred here is: H. BravoHollis 391 (MEXU).

Section Feroeactus F pottsii group

References:
Ferocacrus iindsayi H. Bravo, Cact. Sue. Mex.
11(1):9-12, with figs. (1966); McCarten, Cact. Succ.
i. (US) 45(3): 104, figs. 3, 4 (1973); SdnchezMejorada, Caet. Suc. Mex. 25(3):66 (1980); N P.
Taylor, Bradleya 2:24 (1984); & 5:95 with fig. of
fruits (1987); Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt.

74

Fig. 82: F. lindsayi showing off its buttercup-yellow

flowers, brighter than most other yellows in the genus

Nordamer. 282 (1992); Lindsay, Ferocactus 327

(1996) (/955 thesis, unpublished at the time); E. F
Anderson, The Cactus Family 332-3 (2001)
Fig. 83: Several mature, flowering plants of F lindsayi,
(he largest about a metre tall in their harsh habitat

Ferocactus macrodiscus
This is a species to tum any grower of cacti on to this
genus, Oowering at on ly about IDem in diameter, and
at full size only about 10cl11 lall , and up to 30cm or so
in diameter. It is indeed the first that attracted Derek
to this genus, espec ially when it un expec tedly
flowered at a small size. It is similar in appearance to
the well -known "horse-crippler", Echillocactus (syn.
Homalocephala) texellsis. but can be distinguished by
the areoles which sit in a depression 011 the ribs and
the flowers which have no ci li ate margin to the petals,
and are darker coloured.
Taylor splits this species into two subspec ies, the
second unnamed at the time he wrote his review of the
genus in 1984, but subsequently named by Jorge
Meyran as var. seplelllriol1aJis, and elevated recently
by Taylor to subspecies, see page 77.

Fig. 84: F. macmdiscils subsp. macmdisclls, at home in

the Sierra Juarez, east of Oaxaca city. Oaxaca,
southern Mexico

Ferocactus macrodiscus
subsp. macrodiscus
This, the type, is that most
co mmonly seen in cultivation,
and is widely grown as it is
sma ll growing and obliges
with flower early in life.
We nearly trod on plants we
saw in the Mexican state of
Oaxaca, so obscured were
they in their habitat, growing almost nush with the
ground and partly hidden among grasses. Those in
nower were the easiest to spot, and fortunately we
were there in early spring, the ri ght time for blooming.
when many were warning off our heavy boots with
their startling, bright pink nowers. The unopened
buds are reticulated and reminiscent of snake scales.
It was described as solitary, wi th the stem deep seated
(orten flush with the ground in the wild), to IDem tall,
3010 40cm in diameter, blue-green, with 13 to 35 ribs,
the areolcs in deep notches. There are 6 to 8 radial

75

Fig. 85: F. macrodisclls subsp. macrodiscus,

showing its eary flowering
capabilities at about 12cm diameter
in cultivation in (he UK

References:

spines, yellowish or red, about 20 to 300101 long,

mostly recurving back to the stem, with 4 central
spines, to 35mm long, forming an upright cross.
Flowers are purplish-pink with white margins 10 the
petals, 30 to 40mm long and wide, with yellow
stigmas. Fruit is more or less globular, magenta red,
40mm long, 30mm in diameter, juicy, covered with
fleshy ovate-deltoid scales with white, hyaline
margins. Seed is up to 2mm long, 1.5mm wide, dark
brown or black.

Ferocactus macrodisclls (c. Martius)

Britton & Rose, The Caet. 3: /39 (/922);
Mortius, Nov. Act. Nat. cur. /6:34/, pl. 26
(1832) - as chirwcactus; Glirke &
Vaupel, Bliihende Kakl. 3: pI. 134 (1912);
R. Meyer, Monatsschl: Kokteenk. 24:150,
with jigs. (1914); Backeberg & Knuth,
KakllIs-ABC 352 (1935, publ. 1936);
Ryntanji, Col. Photo Album Cacti &
Suec. 29(1965); Meyran, eact. Sue, Mex.
11(4):92, fig. 49 (1966); Class & Fosler,
Cael. Succ. J. (US) 44(3),'96, fig. 168
(1972); C. Unger, Kakl.u.a.Sukk.
29(3):65-66, figs . I, 2, 5 (1978); N. P.
Taylor, Bradleya 2:25 with fig. (1984); & 5:95-96
(1987); Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 333
(1992); Lindsay, Feroeaelus 131-139, 407 (1996)
(1955 thesis, unpublished at the time); E. F. Anderson,
The Caelus Family 333 (2001)

Reported from Mexico, OAXACA, north and central

parts, and "probably PUEBLA"; specifically from
OAXACA, San Juan de Teposcolula, between Milia and
Oaxaca, near Mitla by Ayutla, near Tejupan, Tomellin
Pass, Coixtlahuaca, Montc Alban near Oaxaca, San
Pedro Nodon Palo Solo in the Tomellin Canyon,
between Tejuapan and Suchixllahuaca, between
Nochixllan and Telixlahuaca; in open pinel oak
woodland in grasses, at 1,700 to 2,500m altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here are: neotype
Lindsay 2607 (DS); Schwarz without no. (DS) (and
see subspecies below); Lau 1122; Rep. 950, 1337a,
1355d, 1644a; F0.53; CZlCH 145.
Synonyms: Bisllaga mocrodisca, Echinoeaetus
macrodiseus, F. maerodiscus var. multiflorus,
F macrodiscus var. oaxaeensis
Section Bisnaga F. latispinus group
Fig. 86: The superb flowers of F. macrodiscus subsp.
macrodiscus in cultivation in the USA

76

Ferocactus macrodiscus
subsp. septentrionalis
This more northerly occurring
subspecies is some distance
removed from the type. The
differences, apart from the
discrete loca lity, are the
yellowish-green body colour
(bluish-green in the type), the
large size of the areo les, 12 to
25mm long (5 to 8mm in the
Iype), the spines strong, st raight or scarcely curving at
the tip of the lower central spine (recurving to the stem
in the type, and reddish or yellowish), and the whi tish
petals, with the centra l stripe yellowish-brown to rosepurple in colour (red-purp le in the type). Apart from
these detailed differences, the plants are distinctive in
cultivation because of the much wider ribs (more
apparent in young plants) and stronger sp in ation; they
also seem to need to be larger than the type before
flowers may be expected in cult ivation. It is as yet not
frequently encountered in cultivation.
It was described as sol itary, flat-g lobose, 20 to 30em
in diameter, 8 to IOem ta ll. the body yellowi sh-green,
with 20 to 34 ribs, prominently tubercled. There are
usually 6. but sometimes 8 or 9 radial sp ines, II to
30mm lo ng, straight or sli ghtl y curved, yell owish or
yellowish-brown, later grey or yellowish, the tip
darker. There are 4 central spi nes, 23 to 50111111 long,
brownish-yellow, straight or sli ghtly cu rved, in an

upright cross. Flowers (produced in March in the

wild) are white with yellow ish-brown to rose-purple
midstripe. stigma reddi sh-brown, yellowish below, to
brown at the tips. Fruit is globose to pear-shaped, red,
38mm long. 24 to 2811l1l1 in diameter, juicy. Seed is
1.5mm long, dark brow n.
Reported from the Mexican states of GUANAJUKro and
Q UERETARO, also from SAN LUIS Paros! by Galeotti in
the early 191h century, and by Lindsay in his thesis;
s pecifically from GUANAJUATO, Mesa de Jesus,
municipio de San Lui s de la Paz, at 2090m altitude
(the Iype), between San Luis de la Paz and Xichu
(QUERETARO). E of San Luis de la Paz, La Posta ,
Pozos, Canada de Moreno; from QUERETARO, at
Xichu; from SAN LUIS POTOSI; at 2,000 to 2,350m.
Field co llection numbers referred here are: G. A.
Navarro without no. (MEXU); Schwarz without no.
(OS) - as F. macrodiscLts from Guanajuato, Hills of
Alejon, San Miguel de Al lende; Meyran 4669,29131;
Rep. I 378a, 1602a, 1966, 1998; SB 1610.
Synonyms: Bisnaga macrodisca subsp. septelltriol/alis, F. macrodisclIs var. septelltrionaiis
References:

Ferocactus macrodhcus subsp. septelltriollalis

(Meyrdn) N. ~ Taylor, Caet. Cons. III it. 5:13 (1998);
Meyron, Caet. Sue. Mex. 32(3):51-54. with figs.
(1987); Mey,.61l, Caet. SlIe. Mex. 11(4):91, jig. 48
(1966); Glass & Foster. Caet. Slice. J. (US) 44(3):96,
jig. 169 (1972); G. Unger, Kakt.lI.a.Sllkk.
29(3):65-66,jigs. 3,4 (1978); N. ~ Taylor,
Bradleya 2:25 (1984) - as all unnamed
variety; Unger, Die grosse1/ Kugelkakt.
340 (1992);
Lindsay,
Nordamer.
Feroeaetlls 132-133, 136 (loU'erjig.), 139
(1996) (1955 thesis, ull-published al the
time). as "a distinct form" (of F.
macrodisclIs).

Fig. 87: F. m(lcrodiscus subsp. Jepfentrionalis Gust look at those spi nes!)
at tho Charco del lngenio. Guanajuato, about 25em in diameter,
rarely seen in cultivation

77

Ferocactus peninsulae
This is a striking plant to grow, with strong, curving,
ruby red (intensely so when wetted) spi nation.

limbo. since they are desirable collectors' plants,

clearl y distinctive and geographica ll y separate , and
recogni ze them as subspecies of F. peninsulae:

tapering towards the apex from the base, most o fte n no

more than 70cm lall, and to SOem in diameter, but
sometimes up to 2.5m wll, dark blue-green, w ith 12 to
20 acute ribs, w ith deep grooves between. There are
6 to 13 slender, straight radial spines, whit ish, 2-3cm
long, w ith 7 to 9 stronger, straight, darker lower radial
and central spines. with one cenlral spine Oattened,
directed downwards a nd hooked at the tip, to about
70mm long (or up to 150mm when young). Flowers
(prod uced in the wild in summer and autumn) arc
yellow, wi th broad orange to red midslripes to the
petals, 50 to 60mm long and wide, stigmas yellow.
Fruit is more or less globu lar, to 30 to 35111111 in
diameter, 20 to 25mm wide, yellow, with yellow,
Oeshy scales. Seed is about 2mm, 1.5mm wide,
reddish-brown, dark brown or black.

Ferocactus peninsulae
subsp. peninsulae

Nigel Tay lor reports SOme mingling of genes with F.

gracilis subsp. c%raws where they overlap in central

This species. widespread in Baja Ca lifornia and

dominating the east si de of the peninsula from about
the middle and most of the sOllthern half, was divided
by Taylor in his 1984 review of the genus into three
varieties including the type, but in the recently
published CITES Caetacene Checklist ( 1999) he lists
the two other species which he referred hereunder (F.
sallta-maria and F. townsel/dial/lis) as provisionally

accepted, not as subspec ies hereunder, implying a

change of heart. We are happy lO take them oul of

Thi s w ill flower in cultivation

at about 20crn tall, the flowers
yellow with red rnidstripes to
the petals. It will grow rapidly
if regularly potted on, and if
g iven good sunny conditi ons
will give of its best in the
impress ive, strong spination
for which it is noted.

It was described as solitary, clu b-s haped, ovoid or

Baja Ca lifornia. The earlier flowering, red spination

and more narrow columnar habit of the latter
distinguish the two. but Taylor is clearly of the opinion
that hybrids occur.
Reported from Mexico, central and east BAJA
from Bahia de los A ngeles and W of San
Borja, S to Bahia Concepcion and perhaps fUilhe r,
Vizcai no and CentmJ Gulf Deserts, specifica ll y from
near Mulege (the Iype), NW of San Ignacio, and in the
Sierra de la Giganta, near Loreto, and Cerro Colorado,
N of Santa Rosal ia, EI Progreso, Llano la Laguna,
Cerro Las Veneeas, Pozo Aleman, Santa
Rosalia, Mision San Borja, SE of
Ciudad COllstitucion , San Frae isqu ito
Bay. Guadelupe Point and Coyote Point
by Concepcion Bay, W of San Luis
Gonzaga; usuaJl y in rocky places. 100400m altitude.
CALIFORN IA,

Field collection numbers referrred here

arc: the type cited by Engelm ann as M.

Gabb II (Mo); Johnston 3453, 3454,

4 162,4 163,4 190 (CAS); Rose 16746,
Fig. 89 (opposite page):
I~ penillsulae subsp. peninsulae, north
or S<lnta Rosalia, Baj<l C:llirorn ia Sur
showi ng its typical tall, narrow column

Fig, 88 (left):
F pel/insulae subsp. pel/illSulae wi th
fiery nowers in culliv<ltion in the USA

78

79

holotype of F. horridus (US); Lindsay 5 15, 1979,

1996,2242 (DS, SD); Moran 3942, 4118 (DS, SD);
Wiggins 5718 (DS); Lau 15; Rep. 735; S8 1285,
1481,1684,1685,1686,1687,1688; DJF 30.
Synonyms: EchinocaClllS peninsulae, F. horridus (not
as applied erroneously horticulturally - see F.
wislizeni subsp. herrerae)
Section Ferocactus F. robustus group
References:

Ferocacllls peninsulae (F. A. C. Weber) Britton &

Rose, The Caet. 3: 133, fig. 140 (1922); F. A. C. Weber,
Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 1:320 (1895). & 4:101
(plate), 102-103 (1898); Engelmann in 1. Coulter,
Contrib. Us. Nar. Herb. 3:361 (1896); Rowley et ai,
Caet. Suce. J. (GB) 41:JJ2 (col.pl. D. R. Hunt)
(1979); Unger, Die grossen Kugeikakl. Nordamer. 177

(1992); Muller, Kakt.u.. a.Sukk. 47(6):117 (1996);

Lindsay, Ferocactus 21/-237, 409, 436 (/996; thesis
1955, unpublished at the rime); Hunt (ed.), CITES

Caet. Checklist 205 (1999); E. F. Anderson, The

Cactus Family 333-4 (2001)

Fig. 91 (below): F. pef/insulae subsp. peninsulae in a

rocky area north of Santa Rosalia, with "Boojums"

for company

80

Ferocactus peninsulae
subsp. santa-maria
Nigel Taylor regarded this as
a variety of F. penillsulae in
1984, but in the most recent

CITES Cac/aceae Checklist

commonly globose, th e ribs thick, sometim es

conspicuously tuberculate, the areoles and spines
often much larger, the central spi nes to Ilcm and/or
much stouter, its restricted locality, larger fruits and
seeds, and its spring !lowering. If this and subsp.
towtlselldiallus were to be regarded as separate
spec ies. this would get our first vote for such a move.

(J 999) it is regarded as a

provi sion ally

accepted

spec ies (i.c. 1101 accepted as a

species nor as a subspecies

for sure). Anderson (2001)
lists it as a species, adding that it "is closely related to
F pel/insulae". We here regard it as a subspecies of F.
pel/insulae, which it resembles in many respects,
although it is a much smaller grow ing plant.
It is a good subspecies to grow since, as indicated
above, if space is limited it is genera lly a smallergrowing plant, reaching about the s ize of a soccer
football in maturity, and will flower when it is about
12cm in diameter.
It has the attractive strong
spination associated with this spec ies. It does not
see m LO be common in collections. but seed is
regularly offered and the opportunity to grow this
comparati vely small-growing plant with flowers also
promised at a modest s ize shou ld not be missed.
It was distinguished by Taylor from subsp.
towllsendial1us on the basi s of it s smaller size,

It was first discovered by Dr. Rose in 1921 visiting

Isla Magdalena, and he found only small specimens in
the area of Santa Maria Bay. He published it as a new
species a year later in the third volume of his major
work in tandem with Britton. Subsequent expeditions
to this is land by Howard Gatcs and Willam Taylor
Marshall, and Lindsay ill 1937 found only F.
(pen insulae subsp.) towl/sendial/us. But in 1952
Lindsay found four plants growing on the rocky
headland at the Santa Maria Bay, the largest was about
75cm tall. He compared it to F. townsel/dial/US,
describing it as a variety of that spec ies, with
morphologically similar flowers, but coloured yellow
in stead of red or orange, with more globular than
conical stems, and with similar spination; the straight
sp ines mentioned in Britton and Rose's description
were not regarded by Lindsay as very significant s ince
they were "not particularly obvious in the holotype
Fig. 92: F. pel/insulae subsp . .\allw-maria. a typically
small soccer football-sized plant in full fruit on the
mainland of the peninsula near to San Carlos on
(he coast, Baja California Sur

81

References:
N. ~ Taylor, Bradleya 2:30 (1984); Lindsay, Caer.
Suee.l. (US) 27(6):170, Ill, fig. 158 (/955) - as F.
townsendiallus var. santa-maria; E. F Anderson,
Salvador Arias Montes, N. P. Taylor, Threatened Cacti
of Mexico 49, pI. /2 (/994); Unger, Die grossen
Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 189 (1992); Lindsay,
Feraeact"s 224-226, 233-237, 415, 443, 444 (/996)
(1955 thesis, unpubLished at the time); Hunt (ed.),
CITES CaC/aeeae Checklist 205 (/999); E F.
Anderson, The Cactus Family 334-5 (2001)

Ferocactus peninsulae
subsp. townsendianus

Fig. 93: F. pen insulae subsp. santa-maria flowering at

only about 20cm diameter in cullivat ion in lhe UK

specimen or those which r collected, and specimens of

F townselldianus from near Cape San Lucas with

straight or barely curved central spines are not

unusual."
It was described as commonly globose, often much
smaller than the other subspecies, with thick ribs,
sometimes conspicuously tuberculate, the areoles and
spines much larger, and the central spines to llcm
long, and/or much stouter. Flowers are ye llow or
orange, produced in the spring in the wild. Fruit is to
50mm long, 40mm in diameter, yellow. Seed is 2mrn
long, matt black.

Reported from Mexico, west coast of BAJA

CALIFORNIA, on Isla Magdalena by Santa Maria Bay,
and the west edge of Llano de la Magda lena near San
Carlos; at near sea-level to 10m, in flat, sandy areas.
Field collection numbers refered here are: holotype
(as F santa-maria) Rose 16279 (US); Lindsay 2160
(OS, SD); N. P. Taylor 64 (K); Lau 1554; SB 1237;
DJF 44.37.
Synonyms: F peninsulae var. santa-maria, F santamaria, F tow!lsendiallus var. santa-maria

Ferocactus peninsulae subsp. santa-maria stat. nov.

Basionym: F santa-maria Britton & Rose, The
Caetaeeae 3:131 (/922);

82

This is another smaller

growing subspecies than Lhe
type (but not as small as
subsp. santa-maria), distinguished by its long spination,
the central spines up to twice
as long as the type , and
coloured dark brown, the
underlying red colouring
showing only if wetted. Although there is said to be
some overlapping between this subspecies and the
type, in general this is the dominant subspecies in the
southern part of Baja California occurring widely in
the southern area from just south of the Bahia de
Concepcion all the way to the southern tip.
It is common in cu ltivation and often one of the most

popularly raised from seed commercially, as it has an

attractive appearance as a young plant, and the area
where it occurs is more accessible from the frequently
visited cape area than the central eastern part of the
peninsula where the lype occurs, and so to seed
co llection.
It was regarded by Nigel Taylor in 1984 as a variety of
F pen insulae, although it is provisionally accepted as

a species (i.e neither regarded as a good species nor a

subspecies for sure) in the most recent CITES
Caetaeeae Checklist (1999). But Anderson (200 I)
listed it as a species, adding that "it is closely related
to F. penillsulae". We here regard it as a subspecies of
F. pen insulae, which it closely resembles in many
respects.
It was described as smaller than the type, very rarely
to 1m tall, globose, con ical or occasionally cylindric,
variab le in shape and size, with about 13 to 16 ribs,
stems about 25cm in diameter, up to 75cm tall in age.
The spines are similar to the type, but more variable,

with 0 to 16 slender, whitish radial spines, the

central spines sometimes straight or the central
and lower radial spines reduced to only 5. Fruit
is almost globular, about 25mm long, 20mm
wide, yellow. Seed is 1.2 to 2mm long, matt
black.
Reported from Mexico, south BAJA CALIFORNIA,
from Cabo San Lucas at the tip of the peninsula
to about 26 N, Isla San Jose, Isla Santa
Margarita, Isla Magdalena, La Paz, Triunfo,
Fraile Bay, Cabo San Lucas, between Queretaro
and Pozo Grande, Boca de las Animas, San
Gregorio, San Jose del Cabo, San Bartolo,
Buena Vista; at IOO-450m altitude, usually in
rocky areas or hillsides.
Fig. 94: F peninsulae subsp. townsendianus with colourful open
flowers and umpteen buds in cultivation in the USA

Field collection numbers referred here are:

holotype Rose 16570 (US); Johnston 3935,
4084 (CAS); Lindsay 1919, 1968, 2248 (OS, SO);
Lindsay OBG 275 (DES); Jones 27061 (POM);
Remple 318 (AHFH); Wiggins 5711 (OS); Brandegee
without no. (two specimens) (UC); Taylor quotes his
collection number N. P. Taylor 59, from mountains to
the south-west of San Javier; Lau 1421; Rep. 289,
589,593, 723h, 723m, 2199a; OJF 27.37,37.37; SB
1286; PP ISO, 151, ISlA, ISS, 165; JP 8511254.
Synonym: F. peninslilae
F. townsendianus

var.

Rererences:
N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:28 (1984); Unger, Die
grossen Kugdkakt. Nordamer. 184, 443, 444 (1992);
Lindsay, Feroeactus 223-224, 237, 415 (1996) (1955
thesis, unpublished at the time); Hunt (ed.) CITES
Cactaceae Checklist 205 (/999); E. F. Anderson, The
Cactus Family 335 (2001)

lownsendianus,

Ferocactw; peninsulae subsp. townsendianus stat.

nov. Basionym F. lownsendianus Britton & Rose, The
Caet. 3:J27, jig. 133 (1922);

Fig. 95: A young flowering plant of F peninsulae subsp.

towllsendianus, the same localilY as the plant to the right

Fig.96: A superb, heavily-spined F. peninsulae subsp.

towlIselldiallus, north of La Paz on the coast road
to San Juan de la Costa, Baja California Sur, Mexico

83

Ferocactus pi_
l o_s_u_s_ _ __
This is a beautifully coloured species, the white hairlike radial spines contrasting wonderfully with the
stunningly bright red central spines, and when the
yellow and red flowers appear the whole plant appears
as if on fire. Plants grown in the Canary Islands under
ideal conditions for strong spine development are

Fruit is ovoid, yellow, 30 to

40mm long, covered with
rounded scales, fleshy and
acid, mark.eted for use in the
same way as for lemons. Seed
is about 1.75mm long, dark brown.

frequently seen offered in Europe some 25cm or so

tall and wide; these may flower at this size given good
sunny conditions in cultivation.
It is one of the biggest in the genus, making quite large
individual stems, but notable for the massive clumps it
forms in the wild, 3m or more across.
It was described as solitary or clustering, with stems 10
3m tall, 50cm in diameter, with 13 to 20 ribs. There
are numerous whitish, radial bristles, although these
are sometimes absent. There are 6 to 12 main central
spines, to 50mm long, strong, usually red (but plants
with yellow spination occur in some populations of
this species), more or less straight.
Flowers are
yellow to red, cup shaped, 40mm long, 25mm wide,
petals remaining more or less erecl, stigmas yellow.

84

It should be mentioned here that the name preferred

by Unger is F. piiiferus, and he quotes the description
of it as such according to Lemaire ex Ehrenberg in
1848, which predates the first val id description of it as
Echinocactus piiosus by two years. But Taylor rejects
th is name as inadequately typified, and points out that
Unger has not provided a neotype, "an essential
prerequisite for the certain application of names based
only on descriptions". In the light of this, and the fact
that it is the more widely used name, F pilosus is
Fig. 98 (opposite page): F fJilosus, a majestic clump
standing proud waiting to be photographed - again!
Fig. 97 (below): F pi/oms, a clustering, glowing
red-spined plant of this favoured species at Nui'iez,
San Luis Potosi, Mexico

85

122lb, I 242d, 1271, 179Ia, 2158c, 2276a, 2279a,

2331a, 2335a, 2349b; OJF 620, 627, 758.37; S8 819,
1618,1619; LH 345; CSO 88,110; CZJCH 115.
Synonyms: Echinocactus pilijerlls, E. pilOSllS, E.
pilosus [var.] pringlei, E. pilosus [var.J stainesii, F.
pilifcrus, F. pilifcrus var. jlavispinlls, F. pili/crus var.
stainesii, F pilosus (var.) stainesii, F. pringlei, F.
stainesii, F. stainesii var. haematacanthus (sensu
Backeberg), F. staines;i var. pilm'us, F. stainesii var.
pringlei
Section Ferocactus F. robustus group
References:

Ferocactus

Fig. 99: The unusual cup-shaped nowers of F. pilOSllS, in

culLivation in the USA

favoured here. This name also has precedence over F.

stainesii, which is sometimes used as an alternative
name under this species, but which was not validated
as such until 1922. F. stainesii is also sometimes
applied (quite incorrectly) to variants of F. piiosus
lacking hair-like radial spines; compare Britton &
Rose's description of F. stainesii as differing from F.
pilosus in having more distant ribs, the areoles more
widely separated, the spines duller coloured, more
numerous, somewhat curved, two of them decidedly
flattened, and the hairs white!

pilosus

(Galeotti

ex

Salm-Dyck)

Werdermann in Fedde's, Rep. Spec. Nov., SonderBeih. C. Lfg. 18, pI. 72 (1933); Galeolli ex Salm-Dyek,
Coet. Hort. Dyck. 1849. 148 (1850); N. P Taylor,
Bradleya 2:35 (1984); I.e. 5:96 (1987); Unger, Die
as F.
gros''''en Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 162 (1992)
pili/erus; Lindsay, Ferocactus 157-167, 191, 437
(1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time); E. F.
Anderson, The Cactus Family 334 (200 I )

Reported from the Mexican states of SAN LUIS Parasi,

ZACATECAS, DURANGO, NUEVO LE6N, COAHUILA and
TAMAULIPAS in the Chihuahuan desert; specifically
from SAN LUIS POTosi, E of San Luis Potosi
Guadalcazar crossing, Huizache, Bonita, Zaragoza de
Solis, La Jolla, Ciudad Maiz, Matehuala, Catorce;
from ZACATECAS, Concepcion del Oro, Cedros; from
DURANGO, Cerro Viznaga near San Bartolo; from
NUEVO LE6N, Ascencion, Aramberri, Escondido, San
Roberto, between Saltillo and Nuncio; from
COAHUILA, on the road from Saltillo near Nuncio, and
Viesca, and Parras, Ramos Arispe, Cameros, Saltillo,
Sierra de Parras, Jimulco; from TAMAULIPAS, Lano de
los Azua; usually in flat, sandy soil, at 1,200-2,400m
altitude. To say the least it is a widespread species.
Field collection numbers referred here are: neotype
Lindsay 2588 (OS); Lindsay 2043, 2614 (OS, SO);
Pringle without no. (UC), Pringle 154 (US); Purpus
without no. (UC); Lau 1419, 1420; Rep. 379, 696a,

86

Fig. 100: An unusually coloured, yellow-spined F. pifosus

among its red-spined brethren

Ferocactus pottsii

--------

Like a huge, blue-grey melon wi th spines, this is a

good-looking, large-growing species with fat, wide,
prominent ribs. The spinal ion is unusual in being
comparatively unferocious, and the plants have more
body apparent than most Femcactlls species. In the
UK in cu ltivation it takes a long time to bloom, and
seems to need to be about 25 or 30cm in diameter
before it will achieve Ihis, but is worth the wait for the
beautiful, clear yellow, large flowers wi th contrasting
red stamens. The open, relatively unprotected body of
thi s plant is prone to damage from nearby more spi ny
species, and care is needed when placing it in a
collection of Ferocactus species. or when transporting
it to shows.
Lindsay described it in J 942 as a variety of F. alam-

OS{IIIUS (var. plarygollus), but

thi s is nowadays regarded as a
redescription of this species.
Neverth e less
Lindsay's
description is far more
detailed than older accounts, and is quoted here.

He described it as solitary, to I m tall, 40cm in

diameter (Taylor says 50cm), but usually much
smaller, globular to short-cy lindric, with usually 13
ribs, sometimes more in very large plants (Taylor says
up to 25) broad and obtuse. There are 3 to usuall y 8
radial spi nes, to 25 to 45mm long, sl ight ly flattened.
Fig. 101: F pOllsi; with its lypicaJ unferocacllts-tike.
sparse spinm ion, bedded out al the Ruth Bancroft
Garden. WatnUl Creek, California. USA

87

The single central spine is up to 75mm long, stmight.

Flowers are light greenish-yellow, 45mm long, 35mm
wide, stigmas yellow. Fruit is ovoid, yellow, to 40mm
long, 30mm in diameter, with broad scales. Seed is
dark brown to black, to 3mm long, 2mm broad.
Reported from the Mexican states of SONORA
CHIHUAHUA, SINALOA, and DURANGO, specificall;
from SONORA, G uirocoba, E of Alamos, o n the
western slopes of the Sierra Tarahumara, Sierra
Alamos, Taymuco, Sierra CaneJa near San Bernardo;
from C HIH UA HUA, Villa Hurnada, at I ,200m alti tude,
La Bufa/Rio Batopi las; from SINALOA, in arid
subtropica l thorn forest or higher in the pine belt, San
Bernardo, Sierra Canela; from DURANGO in the east at
I , 150-I ,800m alt itude.
'
Field collection numbers referred here are: the type
Bool & Lindsay without no. (OS, the synonymous F.
alamosallus var. platygol1us); Lau 1257; Rep. 534,
1589.
Synonyms: Echinocaclus pow'ii, F. alamosanlls var.
Fig. 102: F. pottsii wi th very ed ible- looking fruit in
cultivation in the USA

88

platygollus, F. guirocobensis nom. nud.

Section Ferocactus F. potlsii group
References:

Ferocaelus pow'ii (Salm-Dyck) Baekeberg, Die Caer

5:2738, fig.2600 (196/); Salm-Dyek, AI/g. Garte,,,.
18:395 (1850); Schumann, Gesamtb. Kakt. 327-328,
jig.57 (1898); G. Lindsay, Cael. Suee. J. (US)14( 101I):139,wilh figs. (1942) - as F. alamasanus var.
platygolllls; Schwarz ex Backeberg, Die Caclaceae
5:2743 (1961) - as F guirocobensis (mentioned as a
catalogue name); Unger. Kakf.ll.a.Sukk. 22(10): 184187, jigs. 1-4 (1971); Glass & Fosler, Cael. Suee. J.
(US) 56(2):62-63, Jigs.5,7 (1984); N. P. Taylor,
Bradfeya 2:36 (1984); Unger, Die grossen Kugelkllkt.
Nordamer. 248 (1992); Lindsay, Ferocaelus 124-125,
127-129, 139 (1996) (/955 Ihesis, /II/published at Ihe
linle) - as F alamosanus var. platygollus; E. F.
Anderson, The Cactll~' Family 334 (2001)

Ferocactus recurvus
Taylor in his paper on the genus abandoned this taxon
for lack of typification, rejecting Lindsay's
neotypification, and regarded it as subsidiary to
F. lalispinus, adopting the later Iypitied name for it as
F. latispinus var. ~pjralis, recently modified to F. latispinus subsp. spiralis. But this view has not gained
ground in the subsequent 20 years, and most other
authorities on the genus, and collectors too, have
followed Lindsay and maintained it as F. recurvus.
Unger goes one step further and maintains it as a
species and reduces F. lalispinus beneath it.
Having seen thi s species and F. latispinus extensively
in the wild, we think that there are sufficient
differences in body shape, spination, flower and
separate geography to follow the mainstream of
thinking, and it is here regarded as a good species
separate from F. latispinus. In addition, we have
recognized Charlie Glass's var. greemvoodii as a
subspecies, see below.
To be fair to Nigel Taylor, who was good enough to
read through our text with some tolerance, he
commented on the above conclusion that "to be
consistent, you (i.e. we) should raise most of the
subspecies recognized in this book to rank as
species!" Tempting as this was we have not followed
his advice.

Fig. 103: F.

recurliUS

south~west

subsp. recurliUS in harsh conditions,

of Oaxaca city, Oaxaca, southern Mexico

Ferocactus recurvus
subsp. recurvus
In cultivation F. recurvus is a
handsomely spined plant from
an early age, but with nothing
like the breadth of spine seen
in F. iatispinlls, and it makes
from the early days a more
elongated~globular, altogether
taller~growing plant than that
species.
Plants we saw in habitat were taller than broad, to
about 30cm tall , and about 25cm wide, often growing
in bare, sandy soil, among small trees giving little
shade, in what seemed to be very dry conditions. At
the time we were there, in early spring there were
flowers as well as ripe fruits.
It was described as globose or flat~gJobose (this at
higher elevations in Oaxaca, at about 2,440m), to
short-cylindric almost columnar at lower elevations in
the valley of Tehuacan (about l,400m), to 40cm lall
(but up to 1m), and 35cm in diameter, with 13 to 16
ribs, often spiralled. There are 5 to 7 radial spines,
uniformly stout, and
four central spines, the
lowermost to 60mm long, 7mm wide, somewhat
flattened but not so broad as in F iatispinus, and
fluted or grooved lengthwise. Flowers (in
winter or early spring in habitat) are 50mm
long, 25mm wide, whitish with pink to purplish
midstripes or bases to the petals. Fruit is
cylindric, purple (Lindsay also mentions yellow,
but such has not been seen by the authors), 50 to
80mm long, 20mm in diameter, juicy, covered
with spirally arranged, ciliate, hard, triangular
scales. Seed is about 1.25mm long, O.6mm
wide, dark brown 10 black, shiny.
Reported from the Mexican states of PUEBLA
and OAXACA, at 500 to 2,440m altitude;
specifically from PuEBLA, Zapotitlan de Salinas
near Tehuacan, Tecomavaca, Colonia San
Marlin, Coxcallan, La Collina, Tehuitzingo, La
Canada,
Tehuixtla,
Esperanza,
El
EI
Papayo,
Riego/Tehuacan,
Acatlan,
Mesquitepec, Tecocoyuca, Xuchiapa near
Izucar de Matamoros, Santa Ana Zapolitlan;
from OAXACA, high in the Sierra Mixteca, Nand
S of Huajuapan, S of Tlacalula, near

89

Tehuantepec, San Jose Lachiguiri,

Teotitlan, Mitla, Matatlan, Cuicatlan,
Totoiapan, Tamazulapan, Tecomavaca,
Chazumba, Nieves, Rio Salado, San
Martin, Tomellin, Sierra Mixteca,
Tilapa, Barranca !xcatJan; in flat, sandy
areas at lower levels, but also found in
the mountains, at 1,400-2,5 00m
altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here
are: neotype Lindsay 2060 (OS);
Lindsay 2597, 2600, 2606, 2609 (OS),
2608 (OS, SO); Lau 1408; Rep. 110,
131, 153, 163a, 167, 321, 834a, 851,
858a, 898a, 924b, 927b, 957e, 1043a,
1321c, 1342a, 1462a, 1656a, 1677a;
FO.68, 138; SB 547; CZlCH 153, 162,
175.

Fig. 104: The srrong protective spination of F. recurvus subsp.

which even goats cannot get past.

Synonyms: Bisnaga recurva, Cactus

nobilis, C. reeurvtls, ehinoeaetus
~piralis, F latiwinus subsp. spiraiis, F lati~pinus var.
spiralis, F. nobilis, F. reeurvus var. spiralis
Section Bisnaga F. latispinus group
References:

Ferocaetus recurvtts (Miller) /to, Caet. 105 (1952);

Miller, Card. Dict. ed.8 (1768); Britton & Rose, The

Cae!. 141 3( 1922) - as F. nobilis; Glass, Caet. Suce.
J. (US) 40(4): 161,.lig. 5 (centre) (1968); N. P. Taylor,
BradJeya 2: 26 (1984) - as F. latispinus var. spiralis;
& 5:96 (1987); Lindsay, Foveae/us 141-148, 191,
440 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time);
Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 294 (1992);
E. F Anderson, The Cactus Family 332 (2001) - as F.
latispinus sllbsp. spiralis

Ferocactus recurvus
subsp. greenwoodii

Fig. lOS: F. recurvus subsp. rccurl'us with its unusuallycoloured flowers on display

90

Taylor does not acknowledge

this taxon in the CITES
Cactaeeae Checklist (1999),
although he endorsed it as a
good variety in his 1984
review, albeit as a variety of
F. latispinus. Having been
taken to the type locality by its
finder, Charlie Glass, and listened to his enthusiasm for its distinct appearance, we
are happy to regognize it here as a subspecies.
Inspired by the earlier glimpse of this subspecies in
the company of Charlie Glass, we visited the area in
the autumn of 2003 , so that we could see it, hopefully
in flower, which it had not been on our previous spring
visit. We found that it is widespread on the road from
Oaxaca to Nejapa de Madero, as well as in the surrounding countryside, as we came across it again when
we visited the remote village of San Jose Lachiguiri ,
the type locality of Orlegoeaelus macdollgallii. To

our surprise we also found it planted in the forecourt

of a petrol stalion, whe re a local lad to ld us
enthusiastica ll y that it was a popul ar plant in the area
as it was used in the production of cactus candy. The
larger plants were cored, the soft interior flesh cubed
and soaked in sugar to form a tasty sweetmeat.
Fortunately there seemed to be a large enough
population to withstand this local predation, helped
perhaps a little by the preference for mature plants,
whi ch wou ld enable some regeneration to have taken
place before they were culled for the loca ls' sweet
tooth.
As hoped for, the plants were in tlower, and we were
enlightened as to the mystery of the flower colour,
described as "straw yellow", unlike the pale pink
flo wers of the lype.
Mary McLenahan, who
accompan ied us to this si te, was asked how she would
describe the co lour of the flowers, and her reply was
accurate and apposite: pale, glassy yell ow; the throat
of the flowers by the way is like the type, deep
pinkish-purple. I am sure that Charlie wou ld have
approved of Ihi s description.

immature, as seed co llected in recent years is 1.5mm

long, sh iny black. Reported from the Mexican state of
OAXACA, Nejapa vall ey, Highway 190, KM637;
sOllth-east OAXACA, in the TOlolapan and Nejapa
valleys, over about 3Skm ; between Tehuantepec and
Oaxaca city on limestone soi l in semi -shade in hill y
country; east of Mitla; at about 1,400m altitude.
Field co llect ion numbers referred here are: the type,
Glass 817-3 (POM); isOlypes (MEXU, CAS); SB
1853.
Synonyms: F lafispirws var. greemvoodii, F recun'flS
var. greemvoodii

FerocaclllS recurvus subsp. greenwood;i stal. nov.

Basioflym: F. recurvus var. greemvoodii C. Glass,
Cae!. Suee. J. (US) 40(4):160, jig.\". 1-4,5(upper)
(1968),

References:
N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:27 (1984) - as F latispinlls
var. greemvoodii; Innes & Giass, lIIustr. Enc),cl. Cacti

120, with fig. (1991); Ungel; Die gros.~ell Kllgelkakt.

It was described as subglobose, to IOcm tall, 16cm in
Nordamer. 299 (1992); Lindsay, Ferocactlls 433
diameter, with 13 ribs, green and aCllte, but broad at
(1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the rime); E. F
base. Spines rounded, of more or less equal thickness,
Andersoll, The CaclIIs Family 332 (2001)
amber 10 ashy red, one central, 4cm long, curved down
at the tip , wine-red when young, lip yellow,
descending, occas ionally flattened laterally; 3 subcentrals, 2.5 to 3cm
long, straight, reddishyellow, standin g above
the 4 or 5 radia ls (with
occas ional
large,
persistent,
subu late,
gland-spines) 1.5 to
2.5cm long, suberec!,
spread ing, translucent
yellow,
the
lower
flushed red. Flowers
are straw-yel low, 6cm
long,
3cm
wide,
campanulate, st igmaJobes yell ow. Fru it is
globose, to 25mm long
and
in
diameter,
greenish to bronzed,
covered with yellow
and brown, spirally
arranged scales. Seed
was described as very
small, reddish-brown,
Fig. 106: F. reCllrVI4S subsp. greellwoodi; showing ilS pale yellow flowers in the autumn, near
wh ich may have been
the village of San Jose Lachiguiri, southern Oaxaca, Mexico
91

"

Ferocactus robustus
To see the huge clumps of this species growing in the
wild in calcareous areas on the flat ground is an
amazing sight. It is one thing to read that clumps can
reach I m tall and 5m across, but this does not prepare
you sufficiently for the initial sight of such monsters
with hundreds of stems ~ it is overwhelming. The
large clump pictured is in the Mexican state of Puebla,
at Tecamachalco, where we were taken by Charlie
Glass, principally to see Mammillaria peClinijera, the
laller flush with the ground in limestone, where it was
finding life above ground difficult. But not so the
Ferocacrus, which looked as if they could survive any
amount of aridity with their massive bulk. As if taking
sustenance from its protective presence there was the
odd Mammillaria mystax growing amid the many
stems of the largest of the Ferocactus.
In cultivation a little extra warmth is necessary in
winter to stop brown marks developing on the rib
apices, and it is a species which has a nasty habit of
developing brown marks around the base of the stems;
the best treatment to combat this seemingly natural
habit is to try to keep ahead of the marking by potting
the plants on fairly frequently and growing them fast;

92

it will start to cluster when

barely 8 cm or so in diameter.
Plants are not easily flowered
in the UK, and a plant grown
for 20 years in cultivation,
with many heads and a diameter of about 40cm has
not yet obliged, but hopefully there will be some
reader of these lines who will inform us otherwise.
It was described (with our additional comments in
brackets) as clustering, forming huge mounds to 1m
tall, and to Sm in diameter, (the visible palt of the
stems more or less globose, to about lOcm in
diameter, green), with about 8 acute ribs. Therc arc 10
to 14 radial spines (thin and bristle-like, white), and 4
to 7 much stronger central spines, straight or a little
curved, angled or flattened (reddish-brown). Flowers
are yellow, (with some of the outer petals reddish), 30
to 40mm long and wide, stigmas red. Fruit is yellow,
20 to 30mm long, 20mm in diameter, with broad,
widely separated, fleshy scales. Seed is I.Smm, black.
Fig. 107: F. robustus, close-up of a huge clump of
hundreds of stems, each only about 100m
diameter, near Tehuacan, Puebla, Mexico

Reported from the Mexican state of

PUEBLA. specifically from Tlacotepec,
Tehuacan, Tecamachalco, Clca loapan,
Zapotitlan de Salinas; on level areas in
limestone, at J ,500~2,1 OOm altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here

are: neo.ype, Lindsay 2058 (OS); Lau

1417; Rep. 93, 109; FO.69; CZlCH 128.
Synonym: E{;hillocactus robllstus
Section Ferocactus F. robust us group
References:

FerocaclUs robllsltis (Pfeiffer) IJrittoli &

Rose. The Caelaceae 3: 135, jig.143

( 1922); Pfeiffer, E"IIff1. Cael. 61 (1837);

& Nov. Ael. Nat. Cllr. 19( J):pl. 16, fig.3
(1839); Krai1lz. Die Kakteell Lfg.30. C
VIlle, with jigs. (1965); Kriihenbiihl,

Fig. 108: F.

robllStllS,

like a huge sleeping hedgehog in southern Puebla

Kakl.lI.a.Sllkk. 33(8):170, 171 (1982); N. P Taylor,

Bradleya 2:27 with fig. (1984); Unger, Die grossen
Kugelkakt. Nordalf/er. 90 (1992): Lindsay, Ferocact/ls
91-94, 110, 413 (1996) (1955 Ihesis, lI"published 01
the time); E. F. Andersoll, 11,e Cactus Family 334

(200 1)

Fig. 109: Bill Weightman. John Pilbeam and Derek Bowdery

in IOtal disbelief at ''The biggest FerocaclIIs in the
world" as Gracie Fields might have sung.

93

Ferocactus schwarzii
This is a species which resembles Echinocactus
grusonij when young, particularly in its strongly
tubercled appearance, but with less prominent spines.
After about four years the ribs start to develop and it
takes on the acutely ribbed character and dark green
colouring of the mature plant. The intense dark green
coloration of the body and the sharply ridged ribs with
continuous yellow fclt in youth make this an
extremely attractive species to grow at all stages.
Flowers can be expected on plants of about 12cm in
diameter in cultivation in the UK, and these add to its
charm.
It was described enthusiastically by Lindsay in honour
of Fritz Schwarz, who had discovered it in the
mountains of the Mexican state of Sinaloa, and

brought it back to grow in his

garden in San Luis Potosi. By
the time Lindsay got to him
Schwarz
had
already
distributed it widely under the
name F. schwarzii, and Lindsay saw no reason to
confuse the issue by changing this name in his formal
description in the US journal. He pictured the plant
Schwarz had collected, which was of considerable
size and showing early flower buds; he also pictured a
younger plant showing clearly an attractive feature of
this species, the almost continuous fell down the ridge
of the ribs.
Lindsay described it as solitary, globose, broadly
elliptical or obovoid, to 80cm tall, 50cm in diameter,
deep green, with 13 to L9 acute ribs,
rounded when young, areoles more or
less running together. There are 1 to 4
spines, more radial than central,
sometimes none or up to 5, more
numerous in youth,S to 55mm long.
Flowers are yellow, 50mm long, 40mm
wide, with yellow stigmas. Fruit is
15mm long, I2mm in diameter,
purplish, juicy. Seed is black and shiny,
1.50101 long, 101m wide.
Reported from the Mexican state of
SINALOA, in the northern and central
pal1s, between Rancho del Padre and
Sinaloa,
Bacuberito, Cerro
Rio
Colorado near Cofradia 48krn E of
Culiacan; at 30-200m altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here
are:
hoiotype,
Schwarz without
no.(Dudley Herbarium no. 371145,
DS); Brandegee without no. (UC); Lau

620
Section Bisnaga F. giallcescens group

Fig. 1 to: F. schlvarzii in full flower, bedded

out in the Ruth Bancroft Garden,
Walnut Creek, California, USA

94

References:

FerocacfUs
schll'arzii
C.
Lindsay, Cacl. Slice. 1. (US)
27(3):70 72, lVilil figs. (1955);
Krainz, Die Kakteen, Lfg. 33, C
Ville (1966); N. P. Taylor,
BradleYll 2:23 wilh fig. (1984):
Unger, Die grosse1i Kugelkakt.
Nordamer. 403 (1992); Lindsay,
Femeaelus 1////4, 139. 442
( 1996) (1955 Illesis, UI/'
published at The time); E. F.
Allderson, The Cacttls Family
335 (2001)

95

Ferocactus viridescens
This species is one of those that anyone can find room
for, obligingly small-grow ing, and flowering in the
UK at an early stage of its growth, at abOU15 years old
from seed and about IDem in diameter; even fully
grown it is a comparative ly small plant for the genus.
Although variable in fl ower co lour from yellowishgreen to green, it adds a rare hue to the collection, but
some plants produce nowers coloured a rather
washed-oul yellowish green, and the morc attractive
intense shades of green should be looked out for,
unless you have a superstition about thi s colour.

Ferocactus viridescens
subsp. viridescens
This, the type, was described

as so litary or occasionally
clustering, to 30cm tall (but
often lower growing), and to
30cm in diameter, but some
populations inland have been
reported with much largergrowing specimens, lO J.3m

tall , 40em in diameter.

were grow in g in sandy areas among grasses and

with in a stone's throw of the Pacific coast.
Reported from USA, CALIFORNIA, near San Diego,
Escondido, Torrey Pines, Mi ss ion Hill s, Oray,
between Otay and San Ysidro, Coons Ranch , Cabrillo
National Monument at Point Loma; from Mexico,
BAJA CALIFORNIA, from the US border southwards to
near San Quintin; on rocky hillsides or sandy flat areas
with grass, near the coast and in chaparraJ inland, at
IO-400m altitude.
Field coll ection numbers rderred here are: holotype

Nuttall without no. (BM); Lindsay 2616 (OS, SO),

2173 as F: orcllttii (OS, SO); Peebles S. F. 305 (A ri z.);
Parish 375 (OS); Brandegee without no. (UC) :
Setehell without no. (UC); Orcutt 29t (Mo). 64 1
without no.(?) as EchinocaclIIs orcLlttii (Mo); Snyder
without no. (SO); Schott without no. (Mo); Pringle

14359 (Mo); Abrams 3395 (OS, Mo, POM); Cohen

(We

have never seen these larger plants either in the wild or

in cul ti vation, and wondered if there is some
confusion with subsp. lirroralis, which is larger and
much more spiny; Nigel Taylor however is of the
opinion that these larger plants could be a connection
to F. gracilis.) Stems are depressed-globose to
cylindric. wi lh 13 to 25 ribs (occas iona ll y up 10 30),
obtuse and somewhat tuberculate (especially in you ng
plants), mid green. There are about 8 to 15 (to 19)
radial spines, some slender, bristle-like, others
stronger and intergrading with the central spines.
There are 4 (to 9) central spines, somewhat curved but
nO( hooked, the largest upper and lower flattened, to
5mm wide, yellowish or reddish, ageing 10 grey.
Flowers are greenish , sometimes with a darker,
reddish midstripe, appearing in the wi ld in spring, lO
50mm long, 60mm wide, stigmas yellow. Fruit is
35mm long, 25mm in diameter, at first green or
reddish, ripen ing lO light yellow, with scattered, lunate
(crescent shaped), fl es hy sca les, wh ich become
transparent. Seed is black. to 1.5mm long, Imm wide.
Plants we saw in northern Baja California, near Ihe
coast not far south of the US border, were quite lowgrowing, no more than about IOcm higb and up to
about 25cm in diameter. They were usually solitary,
but the occasion al clustering plant was see n. They

96

Fig. 113: Close-up of the colourful nowers and spines of

F. viridescens subsp. viridescens in cultivation in
the USA

463 (POM); Benson 4281 (POM), 14366 (POM

278127); Rush without no. (AHFH); Wiggins 3245
(OS); Gander 489 as F. orcuttii (SO); Wiggins &
Gillespie 3910 as F orclIttii (DS, POM, CAS, Mo,
MEXU); Dawson 5129, 5 140 (AHFH); Lau 1402;
Rep. 232, 239, 247; DJF 4.37; SB 1238 (may be
subsp. littoralis); JS 80; RP 99.
Synonyms: Echinocacfus orew!ii, E. viridescens, F

cali/omicus, F orcutt;i, F viridescens subsp.lvar.

orcutt;i
Section Ferocactus F. robustlls group
References:

Ferocaclus viridescens (Torrey & A. Gray) Britton &

Rose, The Caer. 3:140, pl.14.1,fig.148 (1922); Torrey
& A. Gray, Fl. N. Ama 1:554 (1840); Lindsay, Coer.
SlIe. Mex. 10(3):76-91, fig.50 (1965); L. Benson,
Caeti US & COllado 703-705,figs.742-745 (1982); N..
P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:30-31, wirhfig. (1984); Unger,
Die grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 97 (1992); Lindsay,
Fig. 115: F. viridescens subsp viride.\cens growing near
the Pacific shoreline south of Maneadero, Baja California

Fig. 114: Well-spined plant of F. viridescells subsp.

viridescens in flower in the UK at no more than
15cm dia.

Ferocactlls 265-280 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished

at the time); Glass, Identification Guide Threatened
Cacti Mexico J:FElVI rmnwnbered pages (1998, pub/.
1997); . F. Anderson, The Cactus Family 335-6

(2001)

97

Ferocactus viridescens
subsp. Iittoralis
Taylor does not acknowledge
this
taxon
in
CITES
Cactaceae Checklist (1999),
but its distinctive appearance,
with a quite different habit
from the type, and its separate
recognition
by
other
authorities (including Ted
Anderson, 2001), lead us to
retain it as it is an attractive, if rarely seen collectors'
plant. It is not often offered, and should be seized on
if seen in commercial listings, either as plant or seed.
It is distinguished by its typically taller size, higher rib
count and higher number of central spines, more dense
spinal ion than the type and more golden hue. It
presents no more difficulty than the type, and is
comparatively hardy.
It was collected as long ago as the early 1930s by a
veteran of the peninsula, Howard Gates, who listed it
in his 1934 catalogue using this name (as a variety),
although the name was not then formally published.

98

It has a stem to 30cm tall, lScm in diameter, solitary

or rarely branched at the base, with about 21 to 34
ribs. There are 15 to 24 radial spines, needle-like to
bristle-like, yellowish to white. Central spines
number 7 to 9, yellowish or pinkish, round in section
or slightly flattened, ribbed, usually slightly recurved,
20 to 40mm long, about 1.5mm wide, the four
principal spines in the shape of an upright cross, with
3 to 5 additional spines above. Flowers are about
30mm long, 25mm wide, greenish-yellow, with
reddish outer petals, yellow inner perals, stigmas red
or yellow. Fruit is globular, about 15mm in diameter,
shiny red or yellow, with broad scales. Seed is black,
1.5mm long, I mm wide.
Reported from Mexico, BAJA CALIFORNIA - the type:
collected in 1960 on the seacoast bluffs at Puerto
Santo Tomas, near 31 0 33' N, 1160 41' W, by Reid
Moran, another veteran of the peninsula. Also
reported in distribution from the coastal zone of
northern BAJA CALIFORNIA from north of Ensenada to
Mision Santo Domingo; specifically at Punta
Salsipuedes, Punta Banda, Puerto Santo Tomas, Punta
Fig. 116: F viridescens subsp.littoralis at Puerto Santo
Tomas, Baja California, Mexico

Ca lavaras, 3.7 miles south of San Isidro Erendira, 9.5

miles south of the same village, and 1.3 miles west of
Mision Santo Domingo, also from near the Hidalgo
Observatory, San Carlos Hot Springs. San Quintin,
Cardonal near San Jorge, Rosario; at 800-1,000m
altitude on rocky bluffs.
Field collection numbers referred here are: the type,
R. Moran 8277(SD), isOlypeS MEXU, CAS, DS, UC,
US; Lindsay 1843,2071 (both as F viridescens) (OS,
SD); Dawson 5140 (AHFH); Lau 1253.
Synonym: F. viridescens var. littoralis
Section Fcrocactus F robustus group
References:
Ferocactus viridescens subsp. littoralis (Lindsay) F. &
R. Wolf, Die Ferokakteen der 8aja California 207208
(2004); C. Lindsay, Caet. Succ. J. (US) 36(/):8-/0,
with figs. (/964); N. P Taylor, Bradleya 2:3/ (/984);
Unger, Die grossell Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 111 (1992);
Lindsay, Ferocactus 269-270, 277, 280 (/996) (/955
thesis, unpublished at the time); Glass, Identification
Guide Threarened Cacti Mexico 1:FElVI var. litoralis
Fig. 118: Ferocactus viridescens subsp. littoralis,
golden balls of spines glow ing in the Mexican
sun, north of Ensenada, Baja California

Fig. 117: Ferocactus viridescens subsp. littoralis at

the type locality near Punta Santo Tomas,
Baja California, Mexko
(sic!), unnumbered pages (1998, publ. 1997); Hunt
(ed.), CITES Cacl. Checklist 205 (/999); E F
Anderson, The Cactus Family 335-6 (2001)

99

Ferocactus wislizeni
This species is one of the most commonly seen offered
commercially as a young seedling, with the seed of the
type often present in mixed packets of seed. It grows
quickly into a very spiny plant and will oblige with
flowers at about 20c01 tall and wide, exceptiona ll y a
little earlier at about l4cm in diameter. The flower

colour varies somewhat in its ralio of red to yellow,

and is almost flame-like in its brightness.
It is divided into three subspecies as follows:

Ferocactus wislizeni
subsp. wislizeni
Ferocactus wislizeni subsp.

wislizelli (not as often seen

"wislizenii"), the type, with
nonnally a solitary stem, is
barrel-shaped to columnar,
tapering towards the top, to
1.6m (rarely to 3m) tall, 80cm
in diameter, with 20 to 30 ribs.
There are about 12 to 20 radial
spines, bristle-like to needle-like, whitish.

Cenrral

Fig. 119: F. wislizelli subsp. wislizeni, close-up of

nowering stem in cultivalion in the USA

spines number 4 (occasionally to 8), the lowermost to

lOcm long, flattened, hooked or straight, the three
uppermost more or less round in section. Flowers
(mainly in summer in the wild) ye llow-orange to red,
50 to 75mm long, 45 to 60mm wide, stigmas yellow.
Fruit is narrow ovoid, to 50mm long, 30mm in
diameter, yell ow, having fleshy scales with ciliate
margins. Seed is 10 2.25 to 2.5rnm long, 1.75mm
wide, reddish-brown to almost black.
In the w ild it is common in Arizona, New Mexico and
Texas, and across the Mexican border in Sonora and
Chihuahua, where plants up to 2m or more tall and
60cm o r more w ide stand like statues disdainful of
awestruck, much younger cactus lovers who have
come to pay their respects. It is the most massive
species of this genu s in the USA, and it invariably
stopped us in our tracks when we encountered it,
Fig. 120: F. wislizelli subsp. wislizeni. a middle-aged plant a
melre or so tall replete with fruits between Nogales
and Pena Blanca Lake. Arizona, USA

100

demanding the sort of respect thai is so seldom these

days afforded to the extremely elderly.
Repol1ed in the USA, from TEXAS, NEW MEX ICO and
ARIZONA; and in Mexico, from CHIHUAHUA and
SONORA; specifically in the USA, from TEXAS, EI
Paso; from NEW MEXICO, Paso del Norte, Organ
Mountains west Mesa, Mesilla Park, Rincon, Flotidas;
from ARIZONA, Stoval, Tucson, Florida Canyon,
Fresnal nort h in the 8aboquivari Mountains,
Redington Pass Santa Catalina Mou ntains, Coyote
Moun tai ns, Gila Bend, Camp Bowie, Benson,
Dudleyv ille, Florence, Sacato n, Cool idge Dam,
Guthrie; in Mexico, from CHIHUAHUA. Guzman See;
from SONORA, Hermos illo, Tetas de Cabra/San Carlos
Bay; at 40-1,750m a lt itude,
often in nat, sandy areas.

References:

Ferocaef/ls wislizelli (Erlgelmann) Britton & Rose,

The Cael. 3:127-128, pl.1 & 12.2, fig.13la (1922);
Engelmann in Wislizenlls, Men!. Tour North. Mex. 96,
in a(/llot. (1848); & Cael. Mex. Bound. pJ.26, 26
(1859); Nase, Kakl.u.a.Sukk. 25(10):236-7 (1974); L.
Berlson, Cacti US & Canada 693-698, figs. 728-736,
eol.pl.l22 (1982); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:34-35
(/984); Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer.
139-155 (1992); U"dsay, Feroeaclus 169-191, 209,
417, 444 (1996) (1955 Ihesis, unpublished at Ihe
lime); E. F. Andersoll, The Cactus Family 336 (2001)

Fie ld
collection
numbers
referred here are: Wislizenus
"cactus No.6" (Mo); Lindsay
2025 (OS, SO), Lindsay 2554
(OS, SO); Wiggins 8642, 8725
(OS); Palmer 72, 73 (Mo);
Cutler 1072 (Mo); Benson
9848, 9976, 9988 (POM),
16637 (POM 31 1316); Benson
9745 (POM, AR IZ); Rothrock
492 (Mo); Trelease without no.
(Mo); Toumey without no. (US,
UC); Graham 7-26- 1 (UC);
Leding S. F. 8 (Ar iz.); Or.
Bigelow No. 12 (Mo); Wooton
& Standley 3204 (Ariz.);
Standley 565 (Mo); Jones
w ithout no. (POM), Jones
without no. (CAS, UC, POM,
Ariz.); Mulford 1038 (Mo); Lt.
Kribber without no. (Mo);
Pringle 6875 (US, MO, POM,
MEXU); Dawson without no.
(AHFH); Lau 1404; Rep. 568,
571, I 554a, 2115b; SB 50, 228,
1828; OJF 1387, 1390, 1635;
AG 30.
Syno nyms:
Eehillocactlls
wislizeni,
F arizollicus,
F falconeri, F. pitoelliceus,
F wislizeni vaL albispirltts,
F. wislizeni var. pllOellieeus
Section FerocaclUs F. robustus
group

F ig. 121:

f: wislizeni subsp. wil/ize1li. a yellow-flowered specimen growing near the

Pima Mine, Arizona, USA
101

The first of the following two subspecies, subsp.

herrerae, is often seen in cultivation labelled quite
erroneously F. horridus, but the second, subsp.
tiburonensis, is seldom seen, no doubt because of its
isolated island occurrence. Both represent signif.
icantly different looking plants from the lype, and are
geographically separate. Although Taylor does not
elevate them to subspecies he provisionally accepts
them in the CITES Cactaceae Checklist (1999). As
they are distinctive collectors' plants worth seeking
out, and because of their separate geographical
occurrence we are happy to place them hereunder as
subspecies.

Ferocactus wislizeni
subsp. herrerae
This subspecies as indicated
above is sometimes also
pictured in books and seen in
cultivation
under
the
misnomer F. horridus, a name
properly applied to a form of
F. pen insulae, originally
collected on the other side of
the Gulf of California from
subsp. herrerae, at San Francisquito Bay in Baja
California, with noticeably long central spines, to
12cm long!

Fig. 122: F. wislizeni subsp. wislizeni, a red flowered

example also growing near the Pima Mine, Arizona

The masquerader is clearly
subspecies herrerae, with dark
brown to black central spines, about
6 to 8cm long, and usually hooked
in youth. Although there are minor
differences it seems that there is, as
Dr. Ortega originally suggested,
only
one
taxon
involved,
representing different stages in the
growth of this subspecies, the
centrals hooked in youth and
straight(ish) when older.
As
Lindsay reports in his thesis the
spines vary with the age of the
plant: young seedlings about 6cm in
diameter have one, reddish hooked
central spine with 8 radiating,
straight, radial spines, all of which
are comparatively heavy, and there
are no bristles; specimens between
25 and 50crn tall have 6 grey, ribbed
central spines, the principal one to
Fig. 123: F. wislizeni subsp. herrerae

enjoying life in fruit and flower on

the Sonora/Sinaloa border, Mexico
102

10em long, flatte ned and curved or hooked at the tip,

and a series of twisted white bristles; in specimens
over SOcm tall the main central spine is straight, not
flattened, and the radial brislles are few or often
lacking altogether.
In 1984 Nigel Taylor listed this taxon as a variety of F.
wislizeni, but in the latest CITES Cactaeeae Checklist
( 1999) it is regarded as a provisionally accepted
species (i.e. neither accepted as a good spec ies nor a
subspec ies for sure). Anderson (2001) li sts it as a
spec ies. adding that it " is closely related to
F. wislizelli". We regard it here as a subspecies of
F. w;sl;zell; because of its close resemblance to that
species, and think it distinct enough to be regarded as
a worthwhile co llector's plant.

San Bias, Guamuchil; west DURANGO, coasta l pla ins

and western slopes of the Sierra Madre Occidental;
from SONORA, Guaymas, Obregon, El Peon, Potam
near Yaqu i Valley, 23km W of Alamos, 82km S of
Navojoa, Ciudad Obregon, Guasimas, EI Peon near
Guasimas, N of Vicam, Agiabampo; near sea level to
1,400m altitude on coastal plains and on hillsides.
Field collection numbers referred here are: the type, J.
G. Ortega without no. (MEXU); Schwarz 229 (OS);
Brandegee without no. (UC); Jones 22967 POM);
Lindsay 22 19, 2556, 2557, 2560, 2562, 2563 (some as
F. wisiizeni) (DS, SD); Rep. 207b, 740a, 744a, 745a,
2 106, 2 11 8b; 58 1867.
Synonyms: F. Jierrerae, F. horridtls Hoft. (misapplied)

Ferocactus wislizeni subsp. herrerae stat. nov.

In cultivation subsp. herrerae is a handsome plant,
making a large, robust, bri gh t gree n stem, with
contrasting dark brown to black spi nes (very short
spined plants are sometimes seen).
It was described as globular at fi rst later cylindric and

sometimes with notably spi rall ing ribs, 2m tall , 4Scm

in diameter, with 13 ribs (far fewe r than the type), at
first squat, later more prominent. There are 8 strong
radial spi nes, at fi rst reddish, later greyish white,
about 3cm long. There is one centra l spine, straight
and not flattened in maturity, in youth often curved at
the lip, and sometimes hooked, about 3cm long; there
are also 8 outer thi n, wispy bristles, to 3cm long,
sometimes not present on older plants. Flowers are
funnel shaped, to 7cm wide, yellOW, with broad red
midslripe. Fruit is 4 to 6cm long, 2.5 to 3cm wide,
greenish-ye ll ow, fl eshy. Seed is 2 to 2.2S mm long,
I .S mm w ide, black or dark
brown, rather angular.

Basionym: F. herrerae 1. G Onega, Mexico Forestal

5:53, 55, figs. 1-4 (1927)
References:
N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:34 (1984); Rauh, Kakt. Stand.
Berueeks. Morph. System. pl. 79.3 (1979); Lindsay,
Ferowetus 187-191, 403 (1996) (/955 thesis,
unpublished at the time); Hirao, Colour Encycl. Cacli
10, figs. 26, 27 (1979); SolO, Cactus Handbook 99100, figs. 873, 874 (1996); Hunt (ed.), CITES Caet.
Checklist 205 (/999); E. F. Anderson, The Cnellls
FamiLy 331 (2001)

Fig. 124: F. wislizelli subsp. herrerae, with shortish spines

in cu hivation in (he UK

Repo rted from Mexico, the

coastal plains of the state of
SINALOA,
so uth-weste rn
SONORA, and the mountains of
western DURANGO; specifically
from SINALOA, a band of about
IOkm along the coas t from
Mazallan to Ahome, and rocky
hills and fl ats not far from the
hi ghway,
Topolobampo,
Peri cos, Sianori, Em palm e,
Guasimas and Hermosi llo,
A ngo s t ura/G uamuch i I ,
Bacuberito, El Fuerte, Los
Moch is, between Mazatlan and
Los Mochis, Pe ri cos, Altata,

103

Ferocactus wislizeni
subsp. tiburonensis

Lindsay reports it from the south-east and south -west

of the island, but does not report further on its
distribution there.

Seed has been available

commercially in rece nt years
of this island subspecies, and
plants raised have a different
aspect from the type and

subsp. herrerae. Its individual

appearance. long iso lated
occurrence, and Lindsay's
clear ex po si tion of th e
differences when he described it, encourage liS to
recogni ze il as a subspecies. Isla Tiburon, where it
occurs, is off the coast of So nora, a lillie above the
centre of the Gulf of California, at about latitude 29
N. It is a large island, but not frequently visited;

Nigel Taylor listed it as a variety of F. wislizcfli in

1984, but in the 1999 CITES Cacfaceae Checklist it is
regarded as provisionally acce pted (i. e. neither
accepted as a spec ies nor a subspecies for sure).
Anderson (2001) li sts it as a species, but adds that it
" is closely related to F. wislizeni". As for subsp.
herrerae above, we regard it here as a subspecies of F.
wislizeni because of its cl ose resemblance to that
species, but think it distinct enough to be regarded as
a worthwhile collector's plant
Alfred Lau (in letters) reported it rare in habi tat, but
no problem to find. The Seri Indians will apparently
take you to the island, but they tell an
alanning story of a European who wan ted to
spend 10 days on the island, but who took
insufficient water. When they returned to
pick him up, they found a picked~c1ean
skeleton with a farewell letter to hi s wife
between his fin gers. He had presumably
succumbed to dehydration because of the
heal and lack of sufficient water. But maybe
(and hopefully) the story is apocryphal, as a
warning of the dangers of visiting such
remote uninh abited places not properly
prepared. Lau suggested that a few c hopped
up Ferocacllls plants cou ld maybe have
saved his life had he been know ledgab le
about cactus.
This subspecies was described as having a
sol itary stem, globose to colu mnar, to 1m
tall , 35cm in diameter, with about 2 1 ribs.
The spines are not clearly differentiated, the
4 more centrally placed, stronger, straight or
sometimes
twisted,
the
lowermost
sometimes flattened. subulate, ribbed, and
to 90mm long; those more radia l resembling
the centrals, not as heavy but never bristlelike. Flowers are funnelfonn, inner peta ls
yellow, the outer peta ls yellow or reddish,
appearing in earl y spring in the wild (unlike
the type, which normally blooms in mid or
late summer), 6cm long, 5cm wide, slamens
ye llow to red, stigmas with about 20 lobes,
yellow. Fruit is fleshy, yellow, 2 to 3cm
long and in diameter when dried. Seed is
Fig. 125: F wislil.('lIi subsp. riburollellsis, a
metre or so tall on the Isla Tiburon in the Gulf
of California off Ihe coast of Sonora. Mexico

104

large, 2.5m m long, 1.75mm wide, black. Lindsay

emphasized the differences from the type particu larly
in its spring flowerin g, the colour of the flowers and
the character of the spines.

Ferocactlls wislizeni sllbsp. tiblirOllellsis stat. nov.

Basiol/ym: F. wislizeni var. tiburonensis C. Lindsay,
Cael. Slice. J. (US) 27(6):166-167.fig.155 (1955)

Refere nces:
Reported from Mexico, B AJA CALIFORNIA, in the Gulf
of Ca liforn ia, on Ti buron Island in the south ; at 10200m altitude.
Field collection numbers referred here are: the type,
Lindsay 2229 (DS), from Ensenada Perro on the
south-east corner of Tiburon Island; a monochrome
photograph of it in habi tat appeared with the orig in al
description. Other coll ections from this locality were
made in 192 1 by Dr. 1. M. Johnston, a botani st on the
Californ ia Academy of Sciences expedition to that
island in that year, no.4270 (CAS) from the south-east
corner, and no.425 1 (CAS) from 3 mil es N of
Willard 's Point; the former of these two, accord ing to
Li ndsay, was a particularly heavily armed plant with
coarse, tortuous, strongly-ribbed spines lip to 9cm
lon g, a nd it provided material from whi ch the
descri ption of the fru it and seed was made; also
coJlec'c<I by A lfred Lau as Lau 1525.

N. P. Taylor. Bradleya 2:35 (1984): Lindsay,

Femeaellls /75-177, 185-186, 209 (1996) (1955
thesis, Ill/published at the time); E. F Anderson, The
Caelus Family 335 (2001)

Synonym: F. tiburollensis, F. x tiburollellsis

Fig. 126: F. wislizeni subsp. tiburone1lsis, young plant in cultivation in the UK, grapefruit-sized, with
distinctive spination even at this age.

105

Referred and other superfluous names

F. acanthodes Britton & Rose, Cact. 3:129, figs . 134137,p1.l5 (1922); N. P. Taylor, Caet. Suee. J. (GB)
41 (4): 91 (1979); Lindsay, Feroeaetus 281, 290-308
(1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time) ..
Although Taylor has referred this species to F.
cylindraceus, there is a swell of opinion which
favours the retention of this morc common, long
used epithet, not least by Gottfried Unger in his
recent work, who uses it in preference to F.
cylindraceus. As indicated in the main text we
regard Taylor's argument as soundly based and
therefore prefcr the use of F. cylindraceus - see
under that name. Nigel Taylor has commented in
personal communication that the epithet
'acanthodes' "can only be retained in its popular
sense if 'conserved' with a new type, but the use of
'cylindraceus' over the past 10 years or more,
makes this unlikely to succeed."
var. eastwoodiae L. Benson, Cacti of Arizona
ed.3:23 (1969)
Referred to F. cylindraceus subsp. eastwoodiae.

F. arizonicus (Kunze) Orcutt, Caclography (1922);

Kunze, Monatssehr. Kakteenk. 19:149 (1909); N. P.

Taylor, Bradleya 2:34 (1984).
Referred to F. wislizeni.
F. bicolor (Galeotti ex pfeiffer) N. P. Taylor, Caet.

Suee. J. (GB) 41(2):30 (1979); CITES Caetaceae

Checklist 58 (1999)
Referred to The[ocaclus.
var. bolaensis (Runge) N. P. Taylor, I.c.
Referred to Thelocactus.

var.jlavidispinus (Backeberg) N. P. Taylor, I.c.

Referred to Thelocactus.
var. schwarzii (Backeberg) N. P. Taylor, I.c.
Referred to Thelocactus.
F. californicus (Labouret) Y. Ito, Cacti 103 (1952); N.

P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:31 (1984)

Referred to F. viridescens.
var. Lecontei (Engelmann) Lindsay, Caet. Suce. 1.

(US) 27(6): 169 (1955); Engelmann, Proe. Amer.

Acad. 3:274 (1856)
Referred to F. cylindraceus subsp. Lecontei.
var. tortulospinus (Gates) Lindsay, Cact. Succ. 1.
(US) 27(6)168 (1955); Gates, Cael. Suec. J. (US)
4(9):343 (1933)
Referred to F. cylindraceus subsp. tortulispinus.
"rostii form" (syn. F. rostii Britton & Rose), N. P.
Taylor, Brad1eya 2:33 (1984); Lindsay, Ferocactus

290,310 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the

time).
Referred to F. cylindraceus.

F. coloratus Gates, Caet. Suec. J. (US) 4(9):344

(1933); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:30 (1984)

Referred to F. gracilis subsp. coloratus.

F. coptonogonus (Lemaire) N . P. Taylor, Cact. Succ.

J. (GB) 42(4):108 (1980); CITES Cactaceae Checklist
58(1999)
Referred to Stenocactus .

[F.] Echillocactus cornigerus De Candolle, (1828)

Referred to F. latispinus.
F. covillei B ritton & Rose, Cac!. 3: 132-3, figs.

138,139 (1922); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:37 (1984);

F. alnmosanus var. plntygonus Lindsay, Cact. Succ.

Lindsay, Feroeaetus

J. (US) 14(10-11):139 (1942)

unpublished at the time).

Referred to F. pottsii.

106

193 (1996) (1955 thesis,

Referred to F. emoryi.

F. crassihamatus (Weber) Britton & Rose, The Cact.

144 (1922); Weber in Bois, Diet. Hort. 468 (1896);
CITES Caetaeeae Checklist 58 (1999)

Referred to Sclerocactus
crassihamatus.

uncinatus

F. gatesii Lindsay Cact. Suce. J. (US) 27(5): 150

( 1955).

Referred to F. graCilis subsp. gatesii.

subsp.

R crispatus (De Cando lIe) N. P. Taylor, Cact. Succ. 1.

(GB) 42(4):108 (1980); CITES Cactaeeae Checklist
58 (1999)
Referred to Stenocactus.
F. diguetii var. carmenensis G. Lindsay, Cact. Succ.
1. (US) 27(6):167-168,fig.156(left) (1955); N. P.
Taylor, Bradleya 2:37 (1984); Unger, Die grossen
Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 280-1 ; Lindsay, Ferocactus 317
(1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time).

This variety was described by Lindsay as having

stems never more than 1m tall, 40cm in diameter,
and usually much smaller, often more globular than
flattened when young, spines and flowers similar
to the type, but more heavily spined. Seedlings
grown in cultivation are darker spined, more of a
red-brown colouring, just as slow growing as the
type. It is not recognized by Taylor as a
subspecies, and seems to be just a smaller growing
fonn of the species.

F. X gatesii (Lindsay) Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt.

Nordamer. 238 (1992).
Referred to F. gracilis subsp. gatesii.
F. glaucus (K. Schumann) N. P. Taylor, Cact. Succ. 1.
(GB) 41(4):90 (1979); CITES Cuetaceae Checklist 59
(1999)

Referred to Sclerocactus.
F. grandiflorus (Lindsay) Unger, Kakt. u. a. Sukk.
51(2): (29-30) Kart. 2000103 (2000).

Referred to F. chrysacanthus subsp. grandiflorus.

F. guirocobensis F. Schwarz, nom. nud.; Hirao,
Colour Eneyc!. Cacti fig.46 (1979); N. P. Taylor,
Bradleya 2:36 (1984).

Referred to F. pottsii.
F. hamatacanthus var. crassispinus (Engelmann) L.

Benson, Cact. Suce. 1. (US) 46(2):80 (1974); N. P.

Taylor, Bradleya 2:27 (1984)
Referred to F. hamatacanthus.

Referred to F. diguetii.
F. eastwoodiae (L. Benson) L. Benson, Cact. US &
Canada 969 (1982); Cacti Arizona ed. 3:26 (1969); N.
P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:33 (1984).

F. hasn'fer (Werdennann & Boedeker) N. P. Taylor,

Cact. Suce. 1. (GB) 41(4):90 (1979); CITES
Cactaceae Checklist 59 (1999).

Referred to Thelocactus.

Referred to F. cyZindraceus subsp. eastwoodiae.

F. echidne var. victoriensis (Rose) Lindsay, Cact.
Suee. 1. (US) 27(6):168 tig.159 (upper right) (1955);
Rose, Contrib. US. Nat. Herb. 12:291 (1909);

Referred to synonymy with F. echidne.

F. electracanthus Lemaire, Cact. Aliq. Nov. 24
(1838); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2: 24 (1984).

As applied horticulturally referred to F. histrix..

F. falconeri Orcutt, West Amer. Sci. 12:162 (1902);
N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:34 (1984).

Referred to F. wislizeni.

F.fordii var. grandijlorus, G. Lindsay, Cact. Succ. 1.

(US) 27(6):164-165,fig.154 (1955).
Referred to F. chrysacanthus subsp. grandiflorus.

R herrerae Ortega, Mexico Forestal 5:53,55, figs. 1 to

4 (1927); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:34 (1984).
Referred to F. wislizeni subsp. herrerae.
F. hertrichii Weinberg, Desert 1:40 (1929)

Referred to F cylindraceus subsp. lecontei.

F. heterochromus (F. A. C. Weber) N. P. Taylor, Cact.
Suee. 1. (GB) 41(4):90 (1979); CITES Caetaceae
Checklist 59 (1999).

Referred to Thelocactus.
F. horridus Britton & Rose, Caet. 3: 128 (1922); N. P.
Taylor, Bradleya 2:28 (1984).

Referred to F. pen insulae: "a form with long

central spines". This name in cultivation is often
misapplied to plants of F. wislizeni subsp. herrerae.

107

F.jolmsollii (Parry) Britton & Rose, The Cact. 3:141

( 1922); Parry in Enge lmann, Bot. J(jn gs's Surv. I 17
( 187 1); CITES Cactaeeae Checklist 59 ( 1999)

F. m esa-verdae (Boissev. & C. Davidson) N. P. Taylor,

Caet. Suee. J. (GB ) 4 1(4):90 ( 1979); CITES
Cactaceae Checklis[ 59 ( 1999)
Referred 10 Sclerocactwi .

Referred 10 ScJerocac/Us.
f~ latispilllls var. j1avispillllS (F. A. C. Weber) Ito.
Cacti \05 ( 1952)

Regarded as just a colou r variat ion of the type wi th

yellow spines, and whitish-yel low flowers.
var. greenwoodii (c. Glass) N. P. Taylor, BradJ eya
2:27 ( 1984)
Referred to F. recllrvus subsp. greemvoodii.
var. spiralis (Karwi nsky ex Pfe iffer) N. P. Tay lor,
Bradl eya 2:26 (1 984)
Referred to F. recurVIlS.
subsp. spiralis (Karwi nskj ex Preiffer) N. P.
Taylor, Cactus Consensus Initiatives, 5: 13 (1998)

F. lIobilis (L.) Bri tton & Rose, Caet. 3: 14 1-3 (1922);

N. P. Taylor. Bradleya 2:26 ( 1984)

Referred to F. recurvllS.

F. orcuttii (Engelmann) Britton & Rose, Cae!. 3: 134

( 1922); Engelm ann apud OrclItt, West Amer. Sci. 2:46
(1886); N. P. Tay lor, Brad leya 2:3 1 ( 1984); CITES
Cactaceas Checkl ist 59 ( 1999); CITES C(l(;1aceae
Checklist 59 (1999)
Referred to F. viridescells.

F. parvifloflls (Clover & Jotter) N. P. Taylor. Cae!.

Suee. J. (G B) 4 1(4):90 ( 1979); CITES Caeroceae
Checklist 59 ( 1999)
Referred to SclerocaCltts.

Referred to /.: recurvlIS.

F. lecontei (Engel mann) Britton & Rose, The Cact.

3: 129 ( 1922)

F. penillsulae var. colora/lis Unger, Die grossen

Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 202 ( 1992)
Referred to F. gracilis subsp. colorallls.

Referred to F. cylindraceus subs p. lecontei.

F. lellcacall/hlls (Zueearin i) N. P. Taylor, Caet. Suee.

J. (GB) 4 1(4):90 (1979); CITES Cac/(fceae Checklist
59 (1999)
Referred to Thelocacllls.
f~ macrodisclls var. 1Il1i1/iflorus (Meyer) Baekebe rg
& Knuth 352 ( 1935 pub I. 1936)

Referred to the type.

var. oaxacellsis Ryutanji, Co lour Photo Album
Cacti & Slice. Band I: 29 ( 1965)
Referred to the type.

F. lIlathssolJii (8 erge ex K. Schumann) N. P. Tay lor,

Caet. Suee. (GB) 4 1(4):91 ( 1979); CITES CaC/(fceae
Checklist 59 ( 1999)
Referred to Sclerocac / lls
crassihamatlls.

lI11cillatus

subs p.

F. melocactijormis (sensu De Candolle) Brilton &

Rose. Caet. 3: 138 ( 1922); N. P. Tay lor, Bradleya 2:24
( 1984); CITES Caetaeeae Checklist 59 ( 1999)
Referred to F. histrix.

108

I: p ellillsulae var. gracilis Un ge r, Die grosse n

Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 193- 197 (1992)

Referred to F. gracilis.
R pellillsulae va r. viscainellsis (Gates) Li ndsay,
Caet. Suee. J. (US) 27(6): 169 ( 1955); Gates, Caet.
Suee. J . (US) 4(8):324 ( 1933); Li ndsay, Ferceaetus,
2 14-2 15. 2 19-222. 237. 43 6 ( 1996)(1955 th es is
unpublished at the time); N. P. Tay lor, 8radleya 2:30
(1984); Unger, Diegrossen Kugelkak!. Nordamer. 198
(1992); H. Muller. Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 48(9): Kart.l7
( 1997); CITES Caetaceae Checklist 60 ( 1999)
Unger mai ntains th is taxon, which Taylor refers to
synonymy with F. graCilis subsp. colora/us, this
last named regarded by Unger also as a variety of
F. peninsulae. Tay lor'S view is foll owed here in .
II comes from near Mesq ui tal, in the area of
southern Baja Ca liforn ia known as the Vizca ino
Desert, where little grows withollt di ffi culty.
Referred to F. gracilis subsp. colora/lis.

F. pllOelliceu s (Kun ze) Orcutl, Cactog raphy 6 ( 1926);

Kunze, Torreya 13:75 ( 19 13): N. P. Tay lor. Bradleya
2:34 (1984)
Referred to F. wislizelli.

F. phyllacanthus (Dietrich & Otto) N. P. Taylor, Caet.

Succ. J. (GB) 42(4): 108 (1980); CITES Cactaeeae
Checklist 59 (1999)
Referred to Stenocactus.

F. piliferus (Lemaire ex Ehrenberg) Unger,

Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 37(2):45 (1986); CITES Caetaceae
Checklist 59 (1999)
As applied commercially referred to F. pifo.';us.

fa.j1avispinus (Hort. ex Schelle) Unger.l.c.

F. recurvus var. spiralis (Karwinski ex Pfeiffer) K.

Schumann, Gesamtb. Kakt. 34!S (1898); Karwinski ex
Pfeiffer, Enum. Cact. 60 (1837); N. P. Taylor,
Bradleya 2:26 (1984); Glass & Innes, IIIus!r. Encycl.
Cacti 120 with fig. (1991)
Referred to F. recurvus.

f:

reppenhagenii Unger, Kakt.u.a.Sukk 25(3)50-54

(1974); N. P Taylor, Cact. Cons. Init. 6:16 (1998).
Referred to F. alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii.

Referred to F. pilosus.

F. rhodanthus F. Schwarz. nom. Dud.?; Hirao, Encycl.

var. stainesii (Salm-Dyck) Unger, Lc.

Cacti figAI (1979); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:22

(1984).

Referred to F. pilosus.

F. polyancistrus (Engelmann & Bigelow) N. P. Taylor.

Taylor refers this taxon with a question mark

regarding its application to F. echidne. Plants
grown in cultivation under this name. from
commercial seed, have differently coloured flowers
from that species, with both red and yellow
appearing on the same plant; neither do they have
the clustering habit of F. echidne, but otherwise
they are similar.

Cact. Succ. J. (GB) 41(4):90 (1979); CITES

Caetaceae Checklist 59 (1999).

F. TOstii Britton & Rose, Cact. 3:146-147, tig.153b

F. pilosus (val'.) staines;; Salm-Dyck, Cacl. Hort.

Dyck. 1849, 149 (1850); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:35
(1984)
Referred to F. pilosus.

Referred to Sclerocactus.
F. potts;; var. alamosanus (Britton & Rose) G. Unger,
Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 22(10):187 (1971); Britton & Rose,
Con!rib. US. Nat. Herb. 16:239,pI.66 (1913).

Referred to F. aiamosanlls.

(1922); N. P Taylor, Bradleya 2:33 (1984); CITES

Caetaeeae Checklist 59 (1999).
Referred to F. cylirulraceus.
F. sail/a-maria Britton & Rose. Cact. 3: 131 (1922);

N. P. Taylor. Bradleya 2:30 (1984).

Referred to F. peninsulae subsp. santa-maria.

F. pringlei (Coulter) Britton & Rose. Cact.

3:125
(1922); Coulter, Contr. US Nat. Herb. Washington, 3:
365 (1896); N. P Taylor, Bradleya 2:35 (1984); CITES
Cactaceae Checklist 59 (1999).
Referred to F. pilosus.

F.pubispinus (Engelmann) N. P. Taylor, Cact. Suce. J.

(GB) 41(4):90 (1979); CITES Caetaceae Checklist 59
(1999).
Referred to Sclerocactus.
F. rafaelensis (J. Purpus) Borg, Cacti 233,236 (1937);

J. Purpus, Monatsschr. Kakteenk. 22:163 (1912); Lc.

23:tig. opp. p.34 (1913); N. P Taylor, Bradleya 2:22
(1984).

Referred to F. echidne.

F. rectispinus (Engelmann) Britton & Rose, The Cact.

134 (1922); N. P. Taylor, Cact. Cons. Init. 6: 16 (1998).
Referred to F. emof)'i subsp. rectispinlls.

F. scheeri (Salm-Dyck) N. P. Taylor, Cact. Suee. 1.

(GB) 41(4):90 (1979); CITES Caetaeeae Checklist 59

(1999).
Referred to Sclerocactus.

F. setispinus (Engelmann) L. Benson, Cact. Succ. J.

(US) 41(3):128 (1969); CITES Caetaceae Checklist
59 (1999).
Referred to Thelocactus.

F. spinosior (Engelmann) N. P. Taylor, Cact. Succ. 1.

(GB) 41(4):90 (1979).
Referred to Sclerocactus.

F. stainesii (Salm-Dyck) Britton & Rose. Caet. 3: 124

(1922); Salm-Dyck, Cact. Hort. Dyck. 1849: 149
(1850); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:35 (1984); CITES
Cact(Jceae Checklist 59 (1999).
Referred to F piloslIs.

109

var. haematacanthus (Salm~Dyck) Backeberg,

Die Cae!. 5:2700 (1961); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya
2:35 (1984)

F. virideseens var. oreuttii (Engelmann ex Orcutt)

Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 105 (1992)

In the sense that Backeberg uses thi s name Taylor

refers it to F. piloslts.

A variant of the species from Palm Valley, Baja

California. with larger stem, to 1.3m tall,
cylindrical, the upper and lower central spines
thinner.

var. pilosus (Galeotti) Baekeberg, Die Cact.

5:2792 (1961)

Referred to F. viridescens.

Referred to F. pilosus.
var. pringlei (Coulter) Backeberg, Die Cact.
5:2701 (1961).

F. viscainensis H. Gates, Caet. Suee. 1. (US) 4(8):3245, with figs. (1933); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:30
(1984); CITES Caetaceae Checklist 60 (1999).

Referred to F gracilis subsp. coioratus.

Referred to F pilosus.
F. tobuschii (W. T. Marshall) N. P. Taylor, Caet. Suee.
J. (GB) 41(4):90 (1979); CITES Caetaeeae Checklist

59 (1999).
Referred to Sclerocacrus brevihamatus subsp.
tobuschii.

F. whipplei (Engle mann & Bigelow) N. P. Taylor,

Cac!. Suec. J. (GB) 41(4):90 (1979); CITES
Cactaceae Checklist 59 (1999).

Referred to Sclerocactus.
F. wislizen; var. albispinus (Tourney) Y [to. Cacti 105

( 1952)

F. torlu/ospinus H. Gates, Cact. Succ. J. (US) 4:343

with fig. (1933); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:33~34
(1984); CITES Caetaeeae Checklist 59 (1999).
Referred to F cylindraceus subsp. tortufispinus.

Referred to F. wislizeni.
var. phoeniceus (Kunze) Y. Ito, Cacti 105 (1952);
N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:34 (1984).
Referred to F. wisiizeni.

F. townsendianus Britton & Rose, Caee 3:127,

fig. 133 (1922); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:28~29 (1984).
Referred to F pef/insulae subsp. townsendianus.

var. tiburonensis G. Lindsay, Cact. Succ. J. (US)

(1955)

27(6):166~167,fig.155

Referred to F wislizeni subsp. tiburonensis.

var. santa-maria (Britton & Rose) Lindsay, Caet.
Succ. J. (US) 27(6):170 (1955).
Referred to F peninsufae subsp. santa-maria.

F. wrightiae (L Benson) N. P. Taylor, Caet. Suec. J.

(GB) 41(4):90 (1979); CITES Caetaceae Checklist 60

(1999).

F. uncinatus (Galeotti) Britton & Rose. The Cact.

3: 146 (1922); Galeoni in Pfeiffer, Abbild. Beschr.
:ac!. 2:p1.l8 (1848); CITES Caetaeeae Checklist 60
1999)

Referred to Sclerocactus.

Referred to Sclerocactus.
var. wrightii (Engelmann) N. P. Taylor, Caet. Suce.
J. (GB) 41(2):31 (1979); I.e. 41(4):99 ( 1979)
Referred to Sclerocactus.

vaupelianus (Werdennann) N. P. Taylor, Cact.

>ucc. J. (GB) 42(4):108 (1980); CITES Caetaceae
:heeklist 59 (1999).

r<:

Referred to Stenocactus.
vietoriensis (Rose) Baekeberg. Die Caet. 5:2728
1961); N. P. Taylor, Bradleya 2:22 (1984).

r<:

Referred to F echidne.

1/0

Fig. 127: Nearly the END:

Derek getting up close with F. robustus

Field Collection Numbers

Dave Ferguson (DJF)
4.37

1402

viridesccns

BeN, L.as l>almas

BeN, Snn Quintin Bay

1404

wislizeni

BeN, El Socorro
BCS, P unta Candeleros

1405
1406

emoryi subsp. rectispinlls

lalispinus

Res, SE of Ciudad
Conslilucion
BCS, C.lbo San Lucas

1408

1414

reeurvus
a lamosanus subsp,
reppenhagenii
flavovirens

14 15

histrix

14 17
1419

robustus
(stainesii) pilosus

1420

(stainesii var pringlei) pilosus

142 1

penins ulae subsp.

townsendianus
cchidne (victoriensis)

8
27.37

viridesce ns
fordi i subsp. borealis
fordi i subsp. borealis
peninsu lae sub~ p .

30

peninsulac

37.37

pcni nsulae subsp.

44.37
52.37

peninsulac subsp. santa-maria BCS, San Carlos

emoryi
Sonora, Sonoita
Queretaro. San Luis de la
hislrix

townsendianus

lownsendianu~

603

p"
609

echidne
617
f..'Chi dne
620
pJlosus
627
pilosus
758.37 pilosus
1354
cyl indraccus
1355 cytindraceus
wislizeni
1387
wislizeni
1390
159 1
cmoryi
1624 crnoryi
1635
wislizcni

San Luis POtoSI, La Calzada

Nuevo Lc6n, NE Arambcrri
Nuevo Le6n, W Aramberri
Nuevo Le6n, W of Galcana
Zlcalecas, Cedros
Arizona, SW o f Congress
Nevada, Searchlight
New Mexico, Cooks Range
New Mexico, West Po trillos
Sonora, N of Hermosillo
Arizona, W of Sells
Arizona, W of Sun City

1412

1422
1463
1554
1555

chrysacanthus

15

peninsu lae

24
56

graci lis subsp. gatesii

pcninsul ae

57

di guetii

78

emoryi

80

a lamosan us

620

schwarzii

765
1054
1112

alamosanus subsp.
reppenhagenii
haematacanthus
(rafaelensis) echidne

1122

rn acrodiscus

1202
1214

alamosanus
jOhnstonian us

1216

gracilis

12 17
1240

cylindraceus subsp,
tortulispinus
glaucescens

125 1

cylindraceus

1253

viridescens subsp. littoral is

1257

pottsii

1313

(mfaclensis) echidne

BCN, Isla Cedros, Punta

Norte, 12oom
BCN, San Borja,
200-400m
BCN. Isla Ventana , 0150m
BC, Vizcaino Descrt,
lOO-150m
BCS, Isla Monscrrat,
50-300m
Sinaloa, lbpolobampo,
I-50 (.2oo)m
Sonora, Guirocoba. Alamos,
350-500m
Sinaloa. Ra ncho del Padre,
180-300m
Michoacan, Cerro Laurel.
Coa1coman. 2,DOOm
Vcmcruz. Maltrata, 2.000m
San Luis Potosi, San
Rafae l, 1.5oo 16oom
Oaxaca, Mitla. near Ayu tla,
I ,800m
Sonora. 'n.ymuco, 450m
BCN, Isla Angel de la
G uarda,0-300m
BCN, Mision San
Fernando. 300m
BCN, Laguna Chapala ,
600m
Queretaro, Visla Hennosa,
1,8oom
BCN. road from Mexicali,
ncar Tecate, 300m
BCN, Hida lgo Observatory,
800- I.OOOm
Sonora, Sierra Canela, San
Bernardo, 1,800m
Queretaro, Rio Ja lpan,
I,DOOm

Puebla, San Antonio

Texcala, 1,60010
Queretaro, Vizarron,
1,2oom
Puebla, Tehuacan, 1,500m
Nuevo LOOn. Aramberri,
1,400m
Coahuila. road from Saltillo
near Nuncio, 2, 100m
DCS, Isla San Jose, O200m

Tamaulipas, Ciudad
Victori a, 500-1 ,600m
rordi i subsp, borealis
BCN. San Quintin, 0- 100m
pcninsulae subsp, santa-maria BCS. San Carlos Bay,
O-IOm
BCN. Santa Rosali lli!a.
gracilis subsp, coloratus
10- l oom

Alfred Lau (Lau)

10

BCN, Ensenada shore. San

Pedro, 50-200m
Chihuahua, Laguna Santa
Maria. I.OOOm
BCS, Nopolo, loo-3OOm
Guanajuato, San Luis de la
Paz, 1,8OOm
Oaxaca. Tecomavaca, 500m
Oaxaca, Yosundua, 1,500m

Felipe Otero (FO)

52

53

68
69
70
71
138

latispinu!>
macrodiscus
recurvus
robustus
flavov irc ns
latispinus
reeurvus

Hidalgo, Pachuca
Oaxaca, Coixllahuaca
High in Sierra Mixlcca
Puebla, Cacaloapan
Puebla, Zapotitla n
Puebla, Tecamachnlco
Puebla, Coxcatlan

Werner Reppenhagen (Repp)

25

lalispinus
lalispinus
histrix

26

latispinus

38
39

47

hislrix
latispinus
latispinus

so

glaucescens

64

latispinus

Hidalgo, Pachuca, 2.500m

Hidalgo, Pachuca, 2,500m
Queretaro, Cadereyta,
2,OOOm
Queretaro, Cadcreyta.
2,OOOm
Queretaro, Colon, 2,000111
Queretaro, Colon, 2,000111
San Luis PotOSI, Jasos,
1,550m
San Luis Potosi, Las
Rus ias, 1,600m
San Luis Potosi. Soledad,

77

latispinus

San Luis Potos, Arriaga.

93

robustus

102
109

fl avovirens
robustus

110

recurv us

130

flavovirens

131

reeurvus

139

latispinus

7
17

1.600111
2,300111
Puebla, T laeolepec ne,lf
Tehuacan, 2, I oom
Puebla, Tehuacan, 1,900m
Puebla, Zapotitlan de
Salinas, 1,800m
Pucbla, Zapotitlan de
Salinas, 1,8oom
Puebla, Zapotitlan de
Salinas, 1,800m
Pucbla, Zapotit lan de
Salinas, 1,800m
Mexico State, Indio Verde,
2,300111

III

141

I'fidalgo, San! Matilda,

latispinus

2,320rn

153

recurvu~

Hidalgo. Los Vcnados,

1,600m
Pucbta, Coxcatlan, 1,200m

163a

recurvus
rccurvus

Oaxaca, TeOlilian. I,OOOrn

Oaxaca. Mitla. 1,700m

670a

201
2073

cyl indraceus
emoryi
cylindraceus

Sonora. Mira mar. j200m

Sononl, Miramar. 5-200m

6900

Sonora, Guaymas. 0-lOm

207b

wislizeni subsp. herrerae

(assumed)
Sonora, Guaymas. 0- 1Om

219a

emoryi
emoryi
viridesccns
viridesccns

149

167

200

echidne

(as.~urned)

224<
232
239
247

viridcsccns

257
267

gracilis

269

cylindraccus subsp.

Sonora, Empalme. 1O-80m

Sonora, Altar. 300m
BeN. Ensc nada. 30m
BeN, San Quintin - San
Simon, I-10m (assumed )
BeN, EI Rosario. O-lOm
(ass umed )
BCN , Cardonal, 20m
BeN. San Jorgc
BeN, N of Punta Prieta

gmcilis

tonulispinus
gracilis subsp.. coJoratus

270
275
289

emoryi subs p. rectispinus

297

histrix

298

echidnc

299

glaucescens

pcninsulae subsp.

BCN, S of Punta Prieta

BCS. San Ignacio
BCS, San Bartolo, 450m

townsendianus

300
321

hiSlrix

344

recurvus
latispinus

345
353
359

histrix
gla uccsccns
echidnc (vicloriensis)

377a

hamataca nlhus

379

pilosus

381

echidnc (vicloricnsis)

382

hamatacanthus subsp.

387

cc hidne (victoriens is)

390

hamatacanthus subsp.

400
420

hamatacanthus subsp.
hnmatacanthus

451

hamatacanlhus

459

hamat<lcanthus

469

hamatacanthus

534

pollsii

548

hamatacanthus

564

alamosanus
wis li zcni
wislizeni

568
571

589
593

pcninsulae subsp.
townse ndianus
pen insulae subsp.
townse ndianusdel

601

, po

609

latispinus

112

Ii idalgo, Barranca de
Venados,I,7oom
Hidalgo, Barranca dc
Vcnados. 1,700m
Hidalgo, Metztitlan, 1,5OOm
Hidalgo, Metztitlan, 1.5OOm
Oaxaca, Matatlan. 1,600m
Hidalgo, CardonaL 2,OOOm
Hidalgo, Cardonal, 2.000m
Hidalgo, Zimapan, 1,9OOm
San Luis Potosi, Ciudad
Maiz, I ,200m
Tamaulipas. Jaimes. L300m
Tamaulipas. Llano de los
Awa
T::m mulipas, Jaumave.
I ,200m
si nualus TalTh1ulipas, Jaumave,
1,2oom
Tanlllulipas, San Vicente
near Jaumave. 1,300m
sin umu5 Tamaulipas, San Vicente
nca r Jaumave, 1300m
sinualus Nuevo Lc6n, Linares, 384m
Coahuila, Paso Guadelupc,
1,100m
Coa hui la, San Lorenzo near
Parras, 1,500m
Coahuila, EI Cannen.
I .OOOm
Coahuila, San Vicente,
1,000111
Chihuahua, Villa Humada,
1.200m
Durango, Cuencame.
1,650m
Sonora. Guirocoba
Sonora, Navajoo. 40m
Sonora, C iudad Obregon,
70m
Baja Clllifornia S, Buena
Vist:!,IOOm
Bajll C alifornia S, San Josc
C1IOO, 100m
Baja California, San
Domingo
Queretaro. Vizarron,

664

n Od
123h
123 m

729a

latispinus
alamosanus sub~p.
rcppenhagenii
alamosa nus subsp.
reppenhagcnii
alamosanus subs p.
rcppenhageni i
pi losus
alamosanus subsp .
reppenhagenii
pcninsulae subsp.
townscndianus
pen insulae subsp.
townscndianus
gracilis

2,ooom
Qucretaro. Colon. 2.IOOm
Michoacan, Cerro Laurel,
2,OOOm
Michoacan, Dos Aguas,
2 ,300m
Colima. Cerro Barrigon,

I ,300m
Dur,mgo, Ccrro Visnaga.
1.700m
Michoacan, Dos Aguas,
2,300m
BCS. Sun 81111010. 450m
BCS. Buena Vista, 100m
BCS, Villa Constitucion,
80m

735
740a

pcninsulae
wislizeni subsp. hcrrerae

744a
745a
740.
801

wislizeni subsp. herrcrac

wislizeni subsp. hcrrerae
alamosanu s subs]).
reppenh:! gc nii
latispinus

813b
834a
851
858a
898a
906a

emoryi
rccurvus
recurvus
recurvus
recurvus
latispinus

924b
927b

rccurvus
rccurvus

950
957e
974

macrodisc us
recurvus
histrill

lOOlg

iatispinus

lOO li

glaucescens

i024b

echidne (victoriensis)

1043a
1080b
1083e
1096a

rccurvus
hammacanlhus
hammacanthus
latispinus

11 29a

echidnc (vic toriensis)

113301

cchidne

1139a

echidne

1144d

glauccscens

I 145b

glauccscens

1171a

latispinus

1192a

hamalacanthus

1202c
1221b

hamalacanlhus
pilosus

1242d

pilosus

1252b

latispinus

1260a

ialispinus

BCS. Santa Rosalia, 200m

Sinaloa,
Angostum/Guamuchil,30m
Sinaloa, Bacuberito, 200m
Sinaloa, EI Fucrte, 60m
Micho,.c,m, Dos Aguas,
2,300m
Gunnajuato, Puerta Caroza,
2,4OOm
Sonora. Santa Ana
Puebla, La Collina, l.I00m
Pucbla, Tc huixtla, 1,2oom
Oaxaca, Huajuapan. I ,800m
Oaxaca, Cuicatlan. 650m
Hid1llgo. Hacienda los
Arcos, 2,5OOm
Puebla. Esperanza, 2,500m
Puebla, EI Ri cgoffchuacan,
1,700m
Oaxaca, Tejupan, 2,300m
Puebla. Acatlan, 1,300m
Zacatccas, La
CicncgalJaIp..'l. 1,950m
Hidalgo, Portezuelo,
1.8oom
Hidalgo. Portezuelo.
I ,800m
Tamaulipas. Palmillas,
I,ooom
Pucbla, EI P3p3yO, 1,4oom
Nuevo Le6n. Mirador, 50m
Coahuila, Parras, 1,600m
Hidalgo. TecpatepecJ
Tulanc ingo. 1.5OOm
San Luis Potos(, Arroyo
Carrizal, I ,200m
San Luis Potosi, San Rafael
Laguna.I, 150m
Queretaro , Jalp..lm,
7oo-l.ooom
Queretaro, W of Jalpan,
I.ooom
QUCrCt:lfO. W of Jalpan,
I ,300m
Hidalgo, MEX-45, km79,

2,OOOIll
Co.lhuila. San Antonio near
Sacramento, 650m
Coahuila. Viesca, 1,250m
Zacatecas, Concepcion del
Oro,2,4oom
San Luis Potosf. Charcas,

2.IOOm
Zaclltccas, Trancoso,
2,300m
Oaxaca, Nicvcs/Tlacotepec,

1271
1294a
1321c
1337a

1,800m
San Luis Potosi, Ciudad
Maiz, J ,200m
hamatacanthu~ suhsp. sinuatus Nuevo Le6n, Presa
Rodriguez Gomez, 350m
recurvu,~
Puebla, El Papaya, 1,300m
Oaxaca, Tomellin Pass,
macrodi~cus
2,200m
Oaxaca, Mitla, 2,050m
recurvus
Puehla, Puerto del Aire,
haematacanthus

1342a
1350a
1,750m
1355d macrodiscus
1,900m
1378a macrodiscus subsp.
septentrionalis
1397b latispinus
1411a

latispinus

1432h

echidne (victoriensis)

1438

cchidne

1462a

recurvus

1463a

latispinus

1537
1554a

harnatacanthus
wislizeni

1589

pottsii

1602a

1939

echidnc

1951a

echidne

1951b

histrix

1966

macrodiscus subsp.
septenlrionalis

1967a
I 980a

latispinu~

Oaxaca, E of Tejupan,

1983a

latispinu~

Guanajuato, La Posta,
2350m
Queretaro, San Juan del
Rio, 1.800m
San Luis Potosi, Rancho
Moreno, 1,650m
Tamauilipas, Barranca near
La Reja, 850-1,200m
San Luis Potosi, pas~ above
Sauz, I, 100m
Pucbla, Tecocoyuca,
1,500m
Mexico state, Santa
Catarinaffezcoco,2,450m
Chihuahua, Cayanc, I,sOOm
Chihuahua, FloresfRio
Santa Clara, 1,750m
Chihuahua, La Bufa/Rio
Batopila, ]J50m

1998
2007a

macrodiscus subsp.
seplentrionalis
histrix

2020b

latispinus

2020c

hi~trix

2030

histrix

2033a

histrix

2034b

latispinus

2038b

histrix

2041b

histrix

2045

histrix

2054b

histrix

2068c

echidne (victoriensis)

2106

wislizeni

2109a

alamosanus

2112a

alamusanus

2115b
2118b
2127c

wislizeni
wislizeni subsp. herrcrae
latispinus

2127d

hi~trix

2131 a

histrix

2139

latispinus

2140

histrix

2148d

echidne

2158c

pilosu~

2160a
2164c
2195
2199a
2254a

echidne (victoriensis)
hamatacanthus
gracilis subsp. coloratus
peninsulae subsp.
townsendianus
histTix

2258a

histrix

2258b

latispinus

2266a

latispinus

2270a

latispinus

pilosus

1625c

macrodiscus subsp.
septentrionalis
latispinus

1644a

macrodiscus

1656a

ret:urvus

1677a
1678a

recurvus
harnatacanthus

1678b

latispinus

1708a
1736a

giaucescens
latispinus

1736b

hi~trix

1737b

histrix

1757a

histrix

1791a

pilosus

1800a

echidnc (vicloriensis)

1816b
1816c
1823a

latispinus
histrix
histrix

1825b

bi~tTix

1845

hamalacanthus

1868

cchidne (viclOriensis)

1878a

lati~pinus

1878b

histrix

1907b

glaucescens

Guanajuato, La Posta,
2,350m
Hidalgo, Santa Catarina/
Pachuca, 2,500m
Oaxaca, Tomellin Pass,
2,100m
Oaxaca, Tamazulapan,
2,000m
Pucbla, Xuchiapa, 1,400m
Puebla, Guadclupe
Enriquez,2,300m
Puebla, Guadelupe
Enriquez, 2,300m
Hidalgo, Trancas, 2,300m
Zacatecas, Cerro el Moro,
2,250m
Zacatecas, Cerro el Moro,
2,250m
Agua~calientcs, San Gil,
2, 100m
Jalisco, Huechuquilla,
2, 100m
Nuevo LeOn, Arambcrri,
I,3OOm
Nucvo Le6n, Zaragoza,
1,7oom
Queretaro, Colon, 2, 100m
Queretaro, Colon, 2, 100m
Queretaro, S of Los Trigos,
2,250m
Queretaro, Carboneras,
2,250m
San Luis Potosi, MEX-49
junction San Agustin,
1,950m
Tamaulipas, Tula-Ocampo
pass,I,7oom
San Luis Potosi, Villa
Arriaga, 2,300m
San Luis Potosi, Villa
Arriaga, 2,300m
Hidalgo, Metztitian, 1,450m

latispinus

~ubsp.

herrerae

Hidalgo, between Gila and

Almolon, 1,500m
Hidalgo, Barranca ahove
Gila. I,MOm
Hidalgo, Barranca above
Gilo, 1,650m
Guanajuato, Pozos, 2,300m
Guanajuato, Pozos, 2,300m
Guanajuato, Dolores
Hidalgo, 2,Ooom
Guanajuato, San Diego,
2,350m
Guanajuato, Canada de
Morcno, 2,300m
Guanajua!o, Doctor Mora,
2,300m
Guanajuato, E of San Luis
de la PaL, 2,150m
Guanajuato, E of San Luis
de la Paz, 2,150m
San Luis Potosf, Labor del
Rio, 1,700m
San Luis Potosi, Organitos,
1,750m
San Luis Potosi, Ordena,
1,750m
Guanajuato, Rincon Tierra
Blanca, 2,OjOm
Guanajuato, Capulin,
2,150m
Guanajuato, El Puerto,
2,250m
Guanajuato, Labor de
Gamboa, 2,300m
Tamaulipas, San
VicenleJPalmillas, 2,OOOm
Sonura, S of Obregon,
6S0m
Sonora, San Bernardo,
450m
Sonora, NW of San
Bernardo, 1,3OOm
Sonora, Navajo, 100m
Sonora, EI Peon, 60m
Guanajualo, Trancas,
2,050m
Guanajualo, Trancas,
2,050m
Guanajuato, EI Vergel,
2,150m
San Luis Potosi, Ojo
Caliente/EI Taro, 1.900m
San Luis Potosf, Oin
Calicnte/EI Taro, 1,900m
Hidalgo. Barranca
Xilitla/Gilo, 1,300m
San Luis Potosi,
Guadalcazar crossing,
1,600m
Tamaulipas, Tula, 1,500m
Coahuila, MuraUa, I ,350m
BCN, Chametla, 10m
BCS, San Jose del Cabo,
100m
Guanajuato, Arroyo del
Tejon, 2,ooOm
Guanajuato, Rancho
Puertecito. 2,200m
Guanajuato, Rancho
Puerleci!o, 2,200m
San Luis Potosi, Villa de
Reyes, 1,850m
San Luis Potosf, Lconcito,
1,550m

113

San Luis Polosi, Leoncito,

1.550m
San Luis POlosi, Leoncito,
1,550m
San Luis Potosi, Villa
Juarez, 1,200m
Nuevo Le6n, Escondida,
1,300m
Nuevo Le6n, Escondida,
1,550m
Nuevo Le6n, Zaragoza,
1.660m
Nuevo Le6n, between
Rayones and Galeana.
1,450m
Coahuila. Viesca, Sierra
Zavaleta, 1,2oom
Zacatecas, Saucito, 2, 150m
Coahuila, W of Viesca.
1,250m
Coahuila, W of Viesca,
1,250m
Coahuila, E of Parras,
1,9QOm
Coahuila, E of Parras,
1,900m
Coahuila, General Cepeda.
1,8oom
Nuevo Leon, San Roberto,
1,9OOm
San Luis PotOSI, N of
Salinas,2,OOOm
San Luis Potosi, N of
Salinas,2,OOOm
San Luis PotosI, Yoliatl, N
of Salinas, 2,000111
Queretaro, Pena Miller,
1,400m

2270b

hamalacunlhus

2270c

hislrix

2272

echidne

2276a

pilosus

2279a

pilosus

2281a

echidne (vicloriensis)

2283u

humalacanthus

2296c

hamalacanthus

2303d
2331a

hamalacanthus
pilosus

2331b

hamatacanthus

2335a

pilosus

2335b

hamatacanthus

2336b

hamatacanthus

2349b

pilosus

2352b

histrix

2352c

hamatacanthus

2355a

histrix

2365

echidne

50
228
282
319
369
393
517
547
548
549
819
1096
1237
1238

1288
1297
1480
1481

wislizcni
wislizeni
hamatacanthus subsp. sinualUs
hamatacanthus subsp. Sllluatus
histrix:
hamatacanthus
cylindraceus subsp. eastwoodii
recurvus
latispinus
latispiflus
pilosus
hamatacanthus
peninsulae subsp santa-maria
viridescens (subsp. Jittoralis ?)
fordii subsp. borealis
gracilis
gracilis
gracilis subsp. coloratus
gracilis subsp. coloratus
peninsulae
peninsulae subsp.
townsendianus
emoryi subsp. rectispinus
emoryi
gracilis subsp. coloratus
peninsulae

1584

latispinus

1610
1618
1619
1636
1637

macrodiscus subsp. septentrionalis

pilosus
Nuevo Le6n, Aramberri
pilosus
Coahuila, Ramos Arispe
echidne
Queretaro, Vizarron
emoryi
Sonora, Guasimas

Steven 8rack (58)

1244
1280
1281
1282
1283
1285
1286

New Mexico, Sierra County

New Mexico, Luna County
Tamaulipas. Jaumave
Coahuila, Nueva Rosita
Zacatecas, La Blanca
Texas, Crockett County
Arizona. Pinal County
Oaxaca, Totulapan
San Luis Potosi, Salinas
Morelos, Cuautla
San Luis Potosi, Hui zache
Coahuila. Los Imagines
BCS. San Carlos
BCN, Maneadaro
BCN, San Quintin
BCN, EI Rosario
BCN, Mision San Fernando
BCN, Sama RosalilJita
BCN, Laguna Chapala
DCS. NW of San Ignacio
BCS. Ligui
BCS. Bahia Concepcion
Sonora, W of Sonoita
BCN, EI Tornat il
BCS, Sierra de Ja Giganta,
Loreto
Queretaro, San Luis de la

p"

114

1638
1639
1684
1685
1686
1687
1688
1700
1828
1836
1853
1867
1877

cmoryi
latispinlls
peninsulae
peninsulae
peninsulae
peninsulae
peninsulae
emoryi subsp. rectispinus
wislizcni
cylindraceus subsp. eastwoodii
recurvus subsp. greenwoodii
wislizeni subsp. herrerae
histrix

1906

cylindraccus

Sonora. Hermosillo
Queretaro, Bernal
BCN, EI Progreso
BCS, Llano la Laguna
BCS, Cerro Colorado
BCN, Cerro Las Venecas
BCN, Pozo Aleman
BCS, Cerro Colorado
Arizona. N of Tucson
Arizona. Winkelman
Oaxaca, E of Mitla
Sonora, Las Guasimas
Zacatecas, General Panfilo
Nalera
Arizona, Queen Valley

Bibliography

~~----------------------------

Books, Bulletins, Periodicals and Contributors refelTed to in the main lex t:

Allgemeine" Gartenzeitung ( 184 J, 1846, 1850,
185 1): A. Dietrich, Muehlenpfordt, Sal m-Dyck,
Scheidwei ler
American Journal of Science ( 1852): Engelmann
Baja California und seine lnsel" ( 1999):
F & R. Wolf
Bliihende Kakteen uDd andere Sukkulcnte Pflanzen
(1903; 191 2): tJurke &- Va"upel; ::,chi..lInann

Botany, King 's Survey ( 1871): Parry in Engelmann

Bradleya 2 (1984), 5 (1987): N. P. Taylor
Bulletin Museum d'Histoire Naturalis Paris (1895,
1898): F. A. C. Weber
(Die) Cactace.e 5 (1961): C. Backeberg
(The) Cact.ceae vols. 3 & 4 (1922 & 1923): Brilto n
& Rose
Cactaceae Consensus Initiatives ( 1998. 2(02):
N. P. Taylor
Cactaceae of the Mexican Boundary Survey
(1859): Engelmann
Cactaceas y Suculcntas Mexicanas ( 1937, 1964,
1965, 1966,1978, 1980 ,1983, 1984, 1987):
Bracamon tes, H. Bravo-Hollis, J. Meyran, Castillo
Sanchez. S<lnchez-Mejo rada, G. Lindsay
Cactae in Horto Dyckensis C ultae Anno 1849
(1850): Sa lm-Dyck
Cactearum Aliquot Novarum en Horto
Monvilliano ( 1838): Lem aire
Cacti ( 1937): Borg
Cacti ( 1952): Y. Ito
Cacti of Arizona ed. 3 (1969): L. Benson
Cacti US & Canada (1982): L. Benson
Cactography ( 1926): Orclltt
Cactus File ( 1996): S. Barker- Fricker
Cactus & Succulent Journal of' Great Britain
(1979,1980): G. D. Rowley et aI., N. P. Taylor
Cactus & Succulent Journal (US) ( 1933, 1955,
1968,1972,1973,1981,1984,1990): H. Cota, R.
Foster, H. Gates, C. G lass, A. Lau. G. Lindsay, G.
Lyons, McCarten
Cactus Handbook ( 1996): T. Sato
Coli, mem,( 1834), De Candolle
Colour Encyclopaedia of Cacti ( 1979): Hirao
Contribution from the U. S. National Herbarium
(1896,1909, 19 13): Engelmann in Coulter, Britton &
Rose
Description of the Cactaceae C ollected en route
near the Thirtyfifth Parallel (1856): Engelmann &
Bigelow (Wh ipple, Railroad Report)
Desert ( 1929): Weinberg
Dictionaire d ' Horticulture ( 1896): F. A. C. Weber

in Bois
Ferocactus ( 1996) (1955 thesis, unpubl ished at the
time): G. Lindsay
(Die) Ferokakteen der Baja California (2004)
F. & R. Wolf
Flora of North America (1840): J. Torrey & A.
Gray
\;r'3ro~ner ' s iller: eo.b'\. (ioS'J:' r:1v1: (ld;!r
Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen ( 1898):
Sch umann
(Die) grossen Kugelkakteen Nordamcrikas ( 1992):
G. Unger
Illustrated Encyclopedia or Cacti (1991): C. lnnes
& c. Glass
(Die) Kakteen ( 1965): Krainz
Kakteen an ihrcn Standorten ( 1979): Rauh
Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten ( 1969,197 1,
1974, 1978 , 1980, 1982, 1983, 1996, 1999, 20(0):
Benson, KrahenbUhl , MUli er, Nase, Unger
KaktusABC ( 1935 publ. 1936): C. Backeberg &
F. Knuth
Memoir of a Tour of Northern Mexico in J846-47
(1848): Engelmann in Wislizenus
Memoires Museum d ' Histoire Naturalis Paris
( 1828/9): De Cando lle
Mexico Forestal ( 1927): I. G. Ortega
Monalsschrift fiir K.kteenkunde ( 1909, 19 12,
19 13,19 14): Kunze, R. Meyer, I . PU~)uS
Natil'e Cacti of California ( 1969): L. Benson
J. New York Bot. Gard. (191 1): Britton & Rose
Nova Acta Physico Medica Academiae Caesareae
Leopoldino Ca rolinae Naturae Curiosorum ( 1832,
1839): Martius, Pfeiffer
Philosophical Magazine ( 1824): Haworth
Proceedings of American Academy of Arts &
Science ( 1856): Enge lmann
Prodromous Systematis Naturalis Regni
Vegetabilis (1828): De Cando lie
Repertorium Specierum Novarum Rcgni
Vegetabilis ( 1933): Werdermann in Fedde's
Review of Cactaceae of the United States ( 1899,
19(0): Orcutt
Synopsis of the Cactaceae of the Territory of the
United States and Adjacent Regions ( 1856):
Engelmann
Threatened Cacti of Mexico ( 1994): E. F.
Anderson, Salvador Ari as Montes, N. P. Taylor
West American Scientist ( 1902): Orcutt

115

Herbaria
Herbaria where Ferocactus have been deposited
Abbreviation

Full title and locality of herbarium

V.AriZ/Ariz.
AHFH

University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Allan Hancock Foundation Herbarium, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
California, USA

CAS

DES
OS
K
MofMBG

MEXU
POM

California Academy of Science, San Francisco, USA

Desert Botanical Garden. Phoenix. Arizona. USA
Dudley Herbarium . Stanford University, California. USA

Royal Bot<.lnic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, UK

Missouri Botanic Garden, San Louis, USA
Universidad Aulonoma de Mexico, In stituto Bioiogia, Mexico D.E, Mexico
Pomona College. Claremont, Cal ifornia, USA

RSA

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, California. USA

SO
UC

San Diego NalUral History Museum, San Diego, California. USA

University of California, Berkeley, San Francisco, California, USA
United States National Herbarium , Smithsonian Institution , Washington , USA
Stfladtische Sukkulentensammlung, Zurich, Sw itzerland

US

zss

116