Ferocactus emoryi

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Ferocactus emoryi
Saguaro National Park 1989 12.jpg
Ferocactus emoryi in Saguaro National Park
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Ferocactus
Species:
F. emoryi
Binomial name
Ferocactus emoryi
Synonyms
  • Echinocactus emoryi
  • Ferocactus rectispinus
  • Echinocactus covillei (Britton & Rose) A. Berger
  • Ferocactus covillei Britton & Rose

Ferocactus emoryi, known commonly as Emory's barrel cactus, Coville's barrel cactus and traveler's friend, is a barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus .

Contents

Description

Ferocactus emoryi is spherical or cylindrical solitary barrel cactus, light green to glaucous, reaching a diameter of 60–100 centimetres (24–39 in) and a height of 2–2.5 metres (6 ft 7 in – 8 ft 2 in). It has 15 to 30 ribs with tubercles, especially in the juvenile stage. The spines are white to reddish. The central spine is very strong, 4–10 cm long, while the seven to twelve radial spines reach lengths of up to 6 cm. The large and funnel-shaped flowers are usually red or yellow, reach lengths of up to 7.5 centimeters and have a diameter of 5 to 7 centimeters. The fruit is ovoidal, about 5 cm long. The subspecies F. e. subsp. rectispinus has been found with center spines as much as 25 cm (9.8 in) long, [1] to even 32 cm (13 in). [2] These are the longest spines of any cactus.[ citation needed ]

Distribution

This species is found in nature in Mexico (Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur) and in the United States (Arizona).

Habitat

Ferocactus emoryi grows in the desert scrubs, hillsides, rocky slopes and gravely rocky or sandy soils, at an elevation of about 0–1,200 metres (0–3,937 ft) above sea level.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are accepted: [3]

References

  1. Lindsay, George (March–April 1976). "Baja California Revisited - Part II". Cactus and Succulent Journal. 48 (2): 57.
  2. coulter, Dr. John M. (1896). "Preliminary Revision of North American species of Echinocactus, Cereus and Opuntia". Contrib. U.S. National Herbarium. 3: 362.
  3. "Ferocactus emoryi (Engelm.) Orcutt". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 2025-07-08.

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