Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus
Barrel cactus
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus (Barrel cactus) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by Genus once widespread in southwestern North America but now reduced to few species; represents ancient cactus lineage.
Barrel cactus is a native perennial found in the Mojave and northern Colorado Desert in rocky hills and silty valleys at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to August, this cactus produces bright yellow flowers approximately 5 centimeters wide with distinctive red to straw-colored spines. Growing as a generally spheric plant with multiple stems, it features 6 to 14 spreading radial spines that are 3 to 4.5 centimeters long and slightly curved. Its spines range from red to gray, initially appearing whitish and spreading outward in a distinctive pattern. The plant produces small seeds that are 2.8 to 4.7 millimeters long, rounded or faceted with a papillate-roughened surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Genus once widespread in southwestern North America but now reduced to few species; represents ancient cactus lineage
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky hills, silty valleys
Elevation: < 1400 m
California counties: Riverside, Imperial, San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego
Outside California: to Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus blooms Mar-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Homalocephala: Echinocactus has dense wool covering entire crown; Homalocephala has wool only at areoles.; vs Ferocactus: Echinocactus has woolly cap hiding stem surface; Ferocactus has hairless crown with only areole wool.; vs Kroenleinia: Echinocactus has thick crosswise-ridged spines; Kroenleinia has thin smooth or hooked spines.; vs Carnegiea: Echinocactus is barrel-shaped under 2 feet; Carnegiea is tree-sized columnar over 10 feet.; vs Sclerocactus: Echinocactus has thick ridged spines and woolly crown; Sclerocactus has smooth spines and hard bare crown.
Frequently asked questions
Is Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus native to California?
Yes. Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus bloom?
Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus grow?
Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus occurs in Riverside, Imperial, San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego, at elevations of < 1400 m.
What plant family does Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus belong to?
Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus is in the Cactaceae family, genus Echinocactus.
What habitat does Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus grow in?
Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus grows in Rocky hills, silty valleys.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.