Ferocactus Species, Mexican Fruit Cactus, Texas Barrel, Turk's Head Barrel

Ferocactushamatacanthus

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Ferocactus (fer-oh-KAK-tus)
Species
hamatacanthus (ham-at-uh-KAN-thus)
Synonym
Bisnaga hamatacanthus
Echinocactus hamatacanthus
Echinocactus longihamatus
Ferocactus hamatacanthus var. crassispinus
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Red
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Corona, California

Hesperia, California

Blue Diamond, Nevada

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Redmond, Oregon

Kermit, Texas

Kingsbury, Texas

Portland, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

San Marcos, Texas

South Jordan, Utah

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Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
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C
Castle Hills, TX | October 2018 | positive

In Mexico the Biznaga or bisnaga is used to make crystallized candy. Because of its over use it is now considered endangered from extinc...Read More

C
San Marcos, TX (Zone 8b) | July 2013 | positive

The flowers, which appear in July here, are very nicely fragrant.

D
D
(Zone 7b) | February 2009 | positive

Be careful not to overwater this species as my plant once suffered a couple of splits in its skin after too much water, it recovered thou...Read More

A
Onalaska, WA (Zone 8b) | September 2008 | positive

This plant is a native of the Northern Mexico/Southwestern United States region.

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | April 2005 | neutral

The buds, which are called cabuches, are harvested for food.
The 'hamatacanthus' subspecies will grow to a height of 2 feet. It ha...Read More

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