Have been cultivating this species for close to thirty years, and throughout that time, it has become one of my favorites. I first encoun...Read Moretered it as a potted, indoor / outdoor specimen plant when I resided in Maryland. Upon moving to Benson, AZ (at an elevation of 4,000') I planted several, all of which survived even the coldest of winters.
Today, at my current home in Tucson, AZ, I have several clusters of this species in both purple and white flowering variations. Good drainage is a must, especially if our "winter" turns "rainy" and "cold." The bold spines create a striking appearance against the rather brilliant green of the plant's flesh. I highly recommend it for beginners and experienced cactophiles alike.
This is a great cactus, but the older it gets the less attractive it looks. In other words, unlike many other types of cactus this one d...Read Moreoesn't age all that well. Young ones tend to produce the best blooms, at least they do out here in the desert.
As of 2001 the 'latispinus variety' has now become the 'latispinus subspecies'.
The 'latispinus' subspecies has 9-15 radial spines...Read More that range from thin & white to dark and stout, and is most prevalent.
The 'spiralis' subspecies has 5-7 stout radial spines.
Other valid synonyms are:
Cactus latispinus
Cactus recurvus
Cactus nobilis
Echinocactus nobilis
Echinocactus cornigerus
Echinocactus corniger
Echinocactus recurvus
Echinocactus recurvus var. latispinus
Ferocactus cylindraceus var. greenwoodiae
Bisnaga cornigera
Bisnaga recurva
Melocactus latispinus
Mammillaria latispina
Great looking color on this plant when young- gets a bit duller as it ages. Flowers can sometimes be a deep purple to dark magenta and q...Read Moreuite striking. Thick thick spines on this one, that hook around and graph you if you get too close. From Mexico
With age, the red or straw spines of this slow-growing, ball-shaped or flat-topped, globular plant become broad and hooked and lie flat a...Read Moregainst the body. Cream to purple flowers appear in spring or autumn.
Can tolerate winters down into the 30's (Fahrenheit), but keep the soil dry.
Have been cultivating this species for close to thirty years, and throughout that time, it has become one of my favorites. I first encoun...Read More
This is a great cactus, but the older it gets the less attractive it looks. In other words, unlike many other types of cactus this one d...Read More
This Ferocactus is quite likely to flower,but usually only if the weather is warm and sunny.
As of 2001 the 'latispinus variety' has now become the 'latispinus subspecies'.
The 'latispinus' subspecies has 9-15 radial spines...Read More
Great looking color on this plant when young- gets a bit duller as it ages. Flowers can sometimes be a deep purple to dark magenta and q...Read More
With age, the red or straw spines of this slow-growing, ball-shaped or flat-topped, globular plant become broad and hooked and lie flat a...Read More