About Ferocactus gracilis H.E.Gates
Ferocactus gracilis H.E.Gates is a solitary cactus that can reach a total height of up to 3 meters. Its stems are cylindrical or spherical, growing up to 150 cm (59 in) tall and 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. The stems are deep green, with 16 to 24 slightly tuberculated ribs. The light gray areoles produce 7 to 13 central spines: these spines are red, flattened, grow up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long, and have a slightly curved to hook-shaped yellow tip. The species also produces eight to twelve white radial spines, which are occasionally twisted and around 6 cm (2.4 in) long. It blooms from spring to early summer, producing funnel-shaped flowers that are up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long and 3.5 cm (1.4 in) in diameter. Each flower has a purple-red midvein, with red, yellow to white margins. Its elongated yellow fruits are around 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long and do not open at a basal pore. The seeds are round, black, and shiny, measuring 1.7-2 mm (0.079 in) long and 1.1-1.3 mm (0.051 in) wide. This cactus is native to Baja California, Mexico, where it ranges from the southern Sierra San Pedro Martir south to Punta Prieta. It grows at elevations between 10 and 30 meters, and thrives on rocky hillsides, outwash fans, silt flats, and gravelly plains. It often grows alongside other desert plant species including Mammillaria dioica, Cochemiea hutchisoniana, Echinocereus engelmannii, Pachycereus pringlei, Stenocereus thurberi, Fouquieria burragei, Cylindropuntia cholla, Idria columnaris, Lophocereus schottii, and Stenocereus gummosus.
