Golden barrel cactus is native to Mexico. Although very popular in cultivation,
this cactus is rare and critically endangered in the wild. In 1990, most of the few remaining plants
were to be flooded as part of a dam project in the Rio Moctezuma Valley in Mexico. A
Mexican botanical garden scrambled to relocate as many plants as possible, and this
conservation project led to their cultivation.
Identification: Golden barrels are 8-51″ (20-130 cm) high, and
1-2½′ (40-80 cm) in diameter. Each globe has 21-37 ribs. Spines are in groups of 8-10, up to 1″ (3 cm)
long. The yellow spines provide a golden sheen. Small yellow flowers appear on the top. Greenish fruits, round or slightly oval, are ⅜-¾″ (1.2-2 cm) long.