Ferocactus viridescens

San diego barrel cactus, San Diego Barrel Cactus

Family: Cactaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1

San diego barrel cactus is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in San Diego County in sandy to rocky areas at elevations of 10 to 150 meters. Flowering from May to June, this distinctive cactus produces yellow to red-brown flowers with inner perianth occasionally marked by red-brown midstripes. Growing as a depressed-spheric to cylindric stem generally not taller than wide, it features 10 to 24 dramatic spines that spread outward in shades of red, pink, or yellow, which age to gray or yellow. Its stems are adorned with striking straight or slightly curved spines that create a formidable and sculptural appearance in its native landscape. The fruit develops yellow to nearly red, adding further visual interest to this robust desert species.

Habitat: Sandy to rocky areas

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 10-150 m

Bioregions: SCo (San Diego Co.)

California counties: San Diego

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.