Barrel Cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus

Closeup photo of the yellow-green flowers of a Barrel Cactus

Anza-Borrego is home to two varieties of Barrel Cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus var. cylindraceus and F. cylindraceus var. lecontei. Both may be known as California Barrel Cactus. The var. cylindraceus is sometimes called the Compass Barrel Cactus. Barrel Cactus is also known as Bisnaga, its Spanish name.

Photo of a Barrel Cactus with Pups One possible way to tell them apart is to note the elevation as which you find them. While there is some overlap, in general, the var. cylindraceus is found at lower elevations up to 2,000 feet while the var. lecontei is found at higher elevations of 2,300 feet and above.

The central spines of the cylindraceus are generally between 7.5 and 17 centimeters while those of the lecontei are shorter, between 5 and 7 centimeters.

Sometimes Barrel Cactus grows in groups. Sometimes it grows alone. The lone Barrel Cactus pictured at left has produced offshoots called pups. The Barrel Cacti pictured below are growing in a cluster.

Barrel Cactus is easily found throughout Anza-Borrego wherever cactus grows. Some of the tallest specimens in the state park are found in the Cactus Garden along Old Kane Springs Road south of Highway 78.

Two similar species found in Anza-Borrego are Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus engelmanii) and Mohave Mound or Cotton-top Cactus (Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus). Most Barrel Cacti stand taller than the other two. Barrel Cactus stems are noticeably greater in diameter than Hedgehog Cactus stems. Barrel Cactus fruit and flowers grow outside and above the red spines. Tangles of red spines vigorously protect the fruit and flowers of Mohave Mound Cactus.

Photo of a group of four Ferocactus