About Ferocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Orcutt
Ferocactus cylindraceus typically has a cylindrical or spherical shape, and most often grows in clusters. Some older specimens grow into columns, reaching up to 50 cm (20 in) in diameter and 3 metres (9.8 ft) in height. Its stem has 18 to 27 distinct ribs, and is covered in numerous long spines. These spines are straight and red when new, and become curved and gray as they age. Each areole typically holds four to seven central spines that are 5 to 15 cm (2.0 to 5.9 in) long, plus 15 to 25 radial spines with a texture similar to strong stiff hairs. This cactus produces funnel-shaped flowers that are maroon on the outside and bright yellow on the inside, with red tints and yellow centers on the side facing the sun. The flowers measure 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) in length and 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) in diameter. Its fleshy, hollow fruits are spherical, yellow, and approximately 3 cm (1.2 in) long. This cactus is native to the eastern Mojave Desert and western Sonoran Desert Ecoregions. It occurs in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah in the Southwestern United States, and in Baja California and Sonora state in Northwestern Mexico. It grows in gravelly, rocky, or sandy soils, within Creosote Bush Scrub and Joshua Tree Woodland habitats, at elevations ranging from 60–1,500 metres (200–4,920 ft).
