Dramatic red-spined Baja California endemic barrel cactus to 6 feet tall with up to 24 ribs and red flowers. Of the 7-13 central spines, the 4 main ones are flattened and arranged in a cross-like shape. Native to the central desert of Baja California, from San Matías through Cataviña to points south, plus islands in the mouth of Bahía de Los Angeles. The Vizcaino and southern central deserts are home to subsp. coloratus, with half the potential size and wider central spines. The island plants (subsp. gatesii) have narrower central spines.

Often the dominant Ferocactus where it occurs in habitat. Exquisitely beautiful in bloom.

Compare to the red-spined Ferocactus pilosus from north-central mainland Mexico, which has fewer, better defined, non-tuberculate ribs and less gnarly spines (and may also have yellow spines and flowers).

Reply to this comment