Fishhook Barrel
Ferocactus wislizenii
This red-flowered version of Fishhook Barrel Cactus was found blooming during the summer monsoon season in Rainbow Valley, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA. Sept. 2009. Specimens with typical orange flowers were growing close by and others had flowers of intermediate color.
Young barrel cacti are well protected by long, curving spines. But this is no guarantee for survival and if the cactus dies the fleshy parts of the stem are eaten away by termites, millipedes and darkling beetles. Left is the crown of thorns.