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Ferocactus pilosus

Accession Count: 5
Common Name: Mexican fire barrel, red barrel
Family Name: Cactaceae
Botanical Name: Ferocactus pilosus
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Ferocactus stainesii var. pilosus
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Ferocactus pilosus is a clumping, columnar cactus with red or yellow central and radial spines that are covered in numerous white bristles. The cacti possess 13-20 prominent, compressed ribs and circular areoles. Red to yellow flowers are formed in late spring to summer on mature specimens receiving adequate sunlight, creating a ring on the top of the plant.
Compound: Fer pil
Geographic Origin: Northcentral Mexico
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin: MX
Natural History:
F. pilosusi is endemic to the central states of northern Mexico, including Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Coahuila, and Zacatecas, on rocky limestone hillsides. The species is common within its natural habitat, with populations including more than 1,000,000 plants.
Cultivation Notes:
This species will grow more slowly than most barrel cacti, and will form aggregations in mature specimens. 
Water regularly during the growing season, and suspend irrigation in winter. Allow soil to fully dry out in between waterings, and do not allow to stand in water. Plant in average, well-drained, gritty soil, from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline (6.1 – 7.8). Full sun is required for this species to thrive - however, provide partial shade if the site is very hot, in order to prevent burning or discoloration. The cold tolerance of this species is 25°F, USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11.
F. pilosus can be propagated through offsets or seeds collected from over-ripe fruits.
Ethnobotany: The Mexican fire barrel is popular in cultivation for its unusual appearance and value in xeric landscapes. At the same time, the species has been consumed by the Hualapai, Pima, and Gila River tribes. The pulp can be boiled, the flesh consumed with mesquite pods, or the fruits consumed singly.
Height: 6 - 10 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Summer
Color: Orange
Function: Accent
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
  1. Anderson, Edward F. The Cactus Family. 1st ed., Timber Press Incorporated, 2001.
  2. Cactus-art.biz
  3. Llifle Encyclopedia of Cacti, retrieved from http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/13436/Ferocactus_stainesii_var._pringlei#:~:text=Description%3A%20Ferocactus%20pringlei%20is%20one,look%20very%20similar%20to%20subs.&text=Habit%3A%20It%20is%20a%20simple,cactus%20with%20thick%20red%20spines.
  4. Tropicos
  5. Gardenia
  6. Dave’s Garden
  7. Native American Ethnobotany Database
  8. Desert Tropicals
  9. Plant Lust
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Ferocactus pilosus