Ferocactus wislizeni (Fishhook barrel cactus)

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Ferocactus wislizeni (Engelmann) Britton & Rose 1922

Fishhook barrel cactus, fishhook barrel, Arizona barrel cactus, biznaga de agua, candy barrel cactus, viznaga hembra, compass barrel cactus

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Caryophyllidae	Cacti, many other succulents, carnivorous plants, and leadworts
Order	Caryophyllales	Includes cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, and many carnivorous plants
Family	Cactaceae	Succulent (water-storing) plants, often spiny
Genus	Ferocactus	From the Latin ferus, “fierce,” and cactus, referring to its heavy spines
Species	wislizeni	After Frederick Adolf Wislizenus (1810-1889), Army surgeon, explorer, botanist and plant collector of German birth who travelled extensively in the southwestern United States

About plant names...

The Arizona barrel cactus is native to southwestern North America. Adult plants often lean toward the south, perhaps because strong southern sun inhibits growth on that side, hence the name "compass barrel cactus." Sometimes the lopsided columns tip over in the mud following a sudden rain.

Identification: Round or column-shaped, plants are usually single, 3-9½' (1-3 m) high and 31" (80 cm) around, with 20-30 ribs. Stems are asparagus-colored. There are two types of spines. Central spines, the largest and most prominent, may be red, white, or gray. They are round or flattened in cross-section, occurring in groups of 4-7. One spine is largest, often shaped like a hook, and 3-4" (8-10 cm) long; smaller spines are straight. Underneath the central spines are radial spines, which are white, much thinner (almost hairlike), and more flush against the stem. Funnel-shaped flowers are 1½-1¾" (4-5 cm) in size, usually orange but grading into red and yellow, blooming from July to September. Oval shaped fruits up to 1¾" (5 cm) are yellow.

Edibility: Ripe fruits are edible, "tart and lemony," with firm texture. Indigenous Americans also processed the pulp into a cabbage-like food.

References:

Anderson, Edward F., The Cactus Family, Timber Press, 2001, p. 336

Online References:

Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and the Plants of the Sonoran Desert

The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Sonoran Desert Digital Library

The Vanderbilt University Bioimages web site

EFloras

Wikipedia