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Ferocactus cylindraceus

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Ferocactus cylindraceus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Ferocactus
Species:
F. cylindraceus
Binomial name
Ferocactus cylindraceus
(Engelm.) Orcutt
Synonyms

Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus Engelm.
Echinocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Engelm.
Echinocactus acanthodes Lem. (rejected name)

Ferocactus cylindraceus is a species of barrel cactus which is known by several common names, including California barrel cactus, Desert barrel cactus, compass barrel cactus, and miner's compass. It was first described by George Engelmann in 1853.[2]

Description

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Ferocactus cylindraceus is usually cylindrical or spherical, usually found in clusters with some older specimens forming columns grow up to 50 cm (20 in) in diameter and 3 metres (9.8 ft) in height. The stem has 18 to 27 distinct ribs and is covered in long, plentiful spines, which are straight and red when new and become curved and gray as they age. Each areola typically contains four to seven central spines that are 5 to 15 cm (2.0 to 5.9 in) long, as well as 15 to 25 radial spines resembling strong hairs.[3]

The cactus bears funnel-shaped flowers that are maroon outside, and bright yellow inside, with red tints and yellow centers on the side that faces the sun, measuring 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) in length and 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) in diameter. The fleshy, hollow fruits are spherical, yellow, and about 3 cm (1.2 in) long.

Subspecies

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Accepted Subspecies:[4]

Image Subspecies Distribution
Ferocactus cylindraceus cylindraceus— California barrel cactus.[5] Southern California to Southwest Utah and Mexico
Ferocactus cylindraceus lecontei (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor — Leconte's barrel cactus.[6][7] Central Arizona
Ferocactus cylindraceus tortulispinus (H.E.Gates) N.P.Taylor Southeast California to South Nevada and Mexico (Northwest Sonora)

Distribution and habitat

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This cactus is native to the eastern Mojave Desert and western Sonoran Desert Ecoregions in: Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah in the Southwestern United States; and Baja California, and Sonora state in Northwestern Mexico.[8][9]

It is found in gravelly, rocky, or sandy soils, in Creosote Bush Scrub and Joshua Tree Woodland habitats, from 60–1,500 metres (200–4,920 ft) in elevation.[10]

  • Hillside with many Ferocactus cylindraceus, in Joshua Tree National Park.
    Hillside with many Ferocactus cylindraceus, in Joshua Tree National Park.
  • Ferocactus cylindraceus in habitat in Red Rock Canyon, Spring Mountains, southern Nevada
    Ferocactus cylindraceus in habitat in Red Rock Canyon, Spring Mountains, southern Nevada

Taxonomy

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In 1852, George Engelmann first described Ferocactus cylindraceus as Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus. The name "cylindraceus" is derived from Latin, meaning "cylindrical," which describes the shape of the plant's shoots. In 1926, Charles Russell Orcutt moved this variety to the Ferocactus genus.[11]

Conservation

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Having a sculptural form and picturesque qualities, this already uncommon cactus is threatened by plant collectors.[10] It is also losing habitat to clearing for new wind farms and solar power plants in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert.

Protected areas with notable populations include
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  • Flower, in Palm Canyon, California.
    Flower, in Palm Canyon, California.
  • Red barrel cacti, Joshua Tree National Park.
    Red barrel cacti, Joshua Tree National Park.
  • Unusual shape, in Palm Canyon, California.
    Unusual shape, in Palm Canyon, California.

References

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  1. ^ Burquez Montijo, A.; Felger, R.S. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Ferocactus cylindraceus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T152556A121539513. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152556A121539513.en. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  2. ^ Anderson, Edward F. (2001). The cactus family. Timber Press. p. 327. ISBN 0-88192-498-9. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  3. ^ Flora of North America . accessed 4.1.2013
  4. ^ "Ferocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Orcutt". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  5. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Ferocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Orcutt var. cylindraceus​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  6. ^ "UC/JEPS: Jepson Manual treatment for FEROCACTUS cylindraceus var. lecontei". ucjeps.berkeley.edu.
  7. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Ferocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Orcutt var. lecontei (Engelm.) H. Bravo​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  8. ^ CalFlora Database: Ferocactus cylindraceus . accessed 4.1.2013
  9. ^ CalFlora Database: Distribution Map (in California)
  10. ^ a b Jepson . accessed 4.1.2013
  11. ^ Silliman, Benjamin (1852). "The American journal of science and arts". S. Converse. ISSN 0099-5363. Retrieved 2024-01-15.


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