Ferocactus acanthodes

In the wild, untamed deserts of the southwest U.S. and northwestern Mexico, we find the native perennial dicot Ferocactus acanthodes. In Utah, it is most prevalently found scattered among the Joshua trees on the slopes of the Beaver Dam Mountains in the southwest corner of the state.

The Latin Ferocactus acanthodes means a fierce or savage (from ferus) cactus covered with spines (from the root acanthus). One close-up encounter with the gnarled mess of sharp spines is enough to understand how well the name fits.

This member of the cactaceae plant family is considered a shrub/sub-shrub and generally grows solitarily across the desert landscape. Growth is slow, but each cactus can grow to be 8 feet tall and 14 inches in diameter. From a distance, the spines give the plant a cylindrical or domed appearance. However, the stem has 18-25 obtuse ribs which increase the surface area of this photosynthesizing region of the plant. At the apex of the plant, the spines turn bright red, and during the summer months the plant produces red and yellow flowers. Due to this colorful apex, the plant was given the common name California Fire Barrel Cactus. The brilliant flowers are bursting yellow flames above a bed of spiny, red, glimmering coals.

Ferocactus acanthodes generally grows in the elevation range of 200-5,000 feet and prefers moderately rich, well-drained soils and full sunlight. It is commonly called the compass barrel cactus because it grows with a southward slant. Tissues on the north-facing side of the stem have a microclimate favoring more growth, so the growth of this tissue exceeds that of the south side, and the slanting stem results. With this knowledge, one can never get lost in the southwest deserts.

Although now a protected species in many areas, barrel cacti served many purposes for the Native Americans. They boiled the flowers to make a cabbage-like meal. An inverted cactus void of inner pulp was used as a pot where food could be cooked by inserting heated stones into the cactus together with the food. Even the spines of the cacti made useful tools. They were used as awls to make holes in leather and as needles for sewing and tattooing.

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©2004 Heath McAllister




©1998 Christopher L. Christie