About Ferocactus wislizeni subsp. herrerae (J.G.Ortega) Pilbeam & Bowdery
This subspecies of cactus, commonly called the fishhook barrel cactus, typically reaches around 2.25 feet (0.69 meters) in diameter and 3 to 6 feet (0.91 to 1.83 meters) in height. Exceptional specimens have been recorded as wide as 3 feet (0.91 meters) and as tall as 10 feet (3.0 meters). Its common name comes from its thick, hooked spines. It has a leathery asparagus-green outer cortex (skin), with 15 to 28 ribs per individual. Its flowers range in color from yellow to red-orange, and grow atop the cactus fruit during the summer. Unripe fruits are green, turning yellow once the flower dries out. Fruits remain on the cactus long after the flower has faded, sometimes for more than a year. Mature adult fishhook barrel cacti almost always lean southward toward the sun, which has earned them the alternate nickname "compass barrel cactus". One popular theory for this leaning growth pattern is that intense afternoon sun slows growth on the exposed sunny side of the cactus, leading to uneven overall growth. Very old cacti can lean so far that they uproot and fall over, particularly after heavy rains when the surrounding soil becomes loose. This cactus has a lifespan of 50 to 100 years. Like other members of the genus Ferocactus, it typically grows in locations where water flows irregularly, or in shallow depressions that hold water for short periods. Unlike many desert cacti, it is not found growing in washes or arroyos, instead growing along rocky ridges and open bajadas. The distinctive hooked fishhook spines, plus the dense armored covering of spines that enclose the cactus body, work as a defense against herbivory. While rarely a mature barrel cactus will be hollowed out by javelina, prickly pear cacti experience much higher levels of herbivore damage from a wider range of species. The spines of this barrel cactus are an extreme hazard when handling the plant, as they can penetrate through thick boots and gloves. The cactus has quite long roots that grow very close to the soil surface. This species is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. More specifically, it occurs in southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, El Paso County (Texas, USA), and the Mexican states of northern Sonora, Sinaloa, and Chihuahua. It grows in gravelly or sandy soil, and is more common on bajadas than on steep slopes, at elevations between 1000 and 5300 feet (300–1600 meters). It prefers full sun, and thrives in hot arid climates, but can tolerate frost down to 5 °F (-15 °C). Its flowers are pollinated by cactus bees of the genus Lithurge. Mule deer, various bird species, Antelope Ground Squirrels, and javelina all feed on its fruit; birds in particular favor the cactus seeds. Indigenous peoples of the Sonoran Desert use the cactus's fruit to make candy and jelly. The Seri and O'odham peoples eat the flowers, and use the sour fruit as an emergency food source. Traditional desert lore identifies this barrel cactus as a source of drinking water for people lost without water in the desert, and there are records of southwestern Native Americans using the cactus for this purpose. However, the water contained in the cactus holds oxalic acid, and it is likely to cause diarrhea if eaten on an empty stomach. The cactus's outer skin thickens with age, so older individuals are more fire-resistant. Even with this trait, average mortality from fire is between 50 and 67 percent within the first two years after a fire event. In urban landscaping, the fishhook barrel cactus is valued as an ornamental plant. It is drought tolerant, well suited for xeriscaping, and is a low-maintenance plant that requires full sun conditions.
