Ferocactus cylindraceus * California Barrel Cactus, Desert Barrel Cactus, Miner's Compass

Ferocactus cylindraceus blooms Winter into Spring with yellow flowers. The outer petals on some specimens may be tinted red or pink. The spines of Ferocactus cylindraceus are pink to red when young and fade to yellow and gray as they age. Ferocactus cylindraceus is round and red in its early stages and becomes columnar as it ages. Older specimens of Ferocactus cylindraceus can grow to 4-6 feet tall. Ferocactus cylindraceus is native to the low desert parts of South Eastern California, Arizona, Baja, and up into Utah. You can find Ferocactus cylindraceus in combination with their Joshua Tree and Creosote desert companions. Ferocactus cylindraceus needs well drained soils and will get by with no irrigation in our coastal environments. When planting in heavier soils be sure to plant on a mound. Ferocactus cylindraceus is winter hardy to the mid 20°'s or below. Ferocactus cylindraceus most often goes by the common name of California Barrel Cactus here in California, but Desert Barrel Cactus and Miner's Compass are also in use. Ferocactus cylindraceus orients the tilt of the cactus towards the noonday sun to protect itself from the heat, hence the Miner's Compass name.