Ferocactus wislizeni: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Species of cactus}}

{{italic title}}

{{Speciesbox

{{taxobox

|name = Arizona barrel cactus

|image = Ferocactus_wislizeni_flower.jpg

|status = VU

|regnum = [[Plant]]ae

|status_system = IUCN3.1

|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]

|status_ref = <ref>{{cite iucn |author=Burquez Montijo, A. |author2=Felger, R.S. |date=2017 |title=''Ferocactus wislizeni'' |amends=2013 |page=e.T152037A121519210 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152037A121519210.en |access-date=10 December 2022}}</ref>

|unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]]

|genus = ''[[Ferocactus]]''

|unranked_ordo = [[Core eudicots]]

|species = '''''F. wislizeni'''''

|ordo = [[Caryophyllales]]

|binomial_authorityauthority = ([[Engelm.]]) [[Nathaniel Lord Britton|Britt.]] & [[Joseph Nelson Rose|Rose]]

|familia = [[Cactaceae]]

|synonyms = {{collapsible list|

|genus = ''[[Ferocactus]]''

*''Echinocactus wislizeni'' {{au|Engelm. 1848}}

|species = '''''F. wislizeni'''''

*''Echinocactus arizonicus'' {{au|R.E.Kunze 1909}}

|binomial = ''Ferocactus wislizeni''

*''Echinocactus falconeri'' {{au|Orcutt 1902}}

|binomial_authority = ([[Engelm.]]) [[Nathaniel Lord Britton|Britt.]] & [[Joseph Nelson Rose|Rose]]

|synonyms = *''Echinocactus wislizeni var. albispinus'' <small>Engelm.</small>{{au|Toumey 1895}}

*''Echinocactus wislizeni f. albispinus'' {{au|(Toumey) Schelle 1926}}

*''Echinocactus wislizeni var. albus'' {{au|Costantin & Poiss. 1907}}

*''Echinocactus wislizeni var. decipiens'' {{au|Engelm. 1878 publ. 1879}}

*''Echinocactus wislizeni var. latispinus'' {{au|Schelle 1907}}

*''Echinocactus wislizeni f. phoeniceus'' {{au|(R.E.Kunze) Schelle 1926}}

*''Echinocactus wislizeni var. phoeniceus'' {{au|R.E.Kunze 1913}}

*''Ferocactus arizonicus'' {{au|(R.E.Kunze) Orcutt 1926}}

*''Ferocactus falconeri'' {{au|(Orcutt) Orcutt 1926}}

*''Ferocactus phoeniceus'' {{au|(R.E.Kunze) Orcutt 1926}}

*''Ferocactus wislizeni subsp. ajoensis'' {{au|Fencl & Kalas 2013}}

*''Ferocactus wislizeni var. ajoensis'' {{au|Fencl & Kalas 2012}}

*''Ferocactus wislizeni var. albispinus'' {{au|(Toumey) Y.Itô 1952}}

*''Ferocactus wislizeni var. flalconeri'' {{au|(Orcutt) Y.Itô 1981}}

*''Ferocactus wislizeni var. phoeniceus'' {{au|(R.E.Kunze) Y.Itô 1952}}

}}

|}}

[[File:Giant_Fishook_Barrel_Cactus_Arizona_2013.jpg|thumb|Large fishhook barrel cactus near [[Sahuarita, Arizona]] ]]

'''''Ferocactus wislizeni''''', the '''fishhook barrel cactus''', also called '''Arizona barrel cactus''', '''candy barrel cactus''', and '''Southwestern barrel cactus''', is a [[Cylinder (geometry)|cylindrical]] [[barrel]]-shaped [[cactus]].

'''''Ferocactus wislizeni''''', the '''fishhook barrel cactus''', also called '''Arizona barrel cactus''', '''candy barrel cactus''', and '''Southwestern barrel cactus''', is a [[Cylinderspecies]] of [[flowering plant]] in the cactus [[family (geometrybotany)|cylindricalfamily]] Cactaceae, native to northern [[barrelMexico]]-shaped and the southern [[cactusUnited States]]. It is a ball-shaped cactus eventually growing to a cylindrical shape, with spiny ribs and red or yellow flowers in summer.

Some sources mistakenly spell the epithet "''wislizenii''." Correct spelling is with one "i," per ICN article 60C.2.<ref>J. McMeill et al. (eds). 2012. International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. Regnum Vegetabile 154. Koeltz Scientific Books. ISBN 978-3-87429-425-6 </ref>

Some sources mistakenly spell the epithet "''wislizenii''." CorrectThe correct spelling is with one "i," per ICN article 60C.2.<ref>J. McMeill et al. (eds). 2012. International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. Regnum Vegetabile 154. Koeltz Scientific Books. {{ISBN |978-3-87429-425-6 }}</ref>

==Characteristics==

The fishhook barrel cactus typically grows to a diameter of roughly two feet and a height of three to six feet. However, specimens as wide as three feet and tall as ten feet have been recorded.<ref> Barrelcactus Cactacae ''Ferocactus wislizeni''. [http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/Syllabus2/fwislizeni.htm USDA Fact Sheet].</ref> The common name comes from the [[Spine (botany)|spines]], which are thick and hooked. It has a leathery [[Asparagus (color)|asparagus green]] [[Cortex (botany)|cortex]] (skin) with approximately 15-28 ribs per cactus. Its [[flower]]s are yellow to red-orange and appear atop the cactus [[fruit]] during the summer months. The fruits are green when unripe, yellow after the flower dries up, and persist atop the cactus long after the flower is gone, sometimes for more than a year.

==Description==

In adulthood, fishhook barrel cacti generally leans southward, toward the sun, earning it the nickname "compass barrel cactus." One theory about why this happens is, the afternoon sun is so intense it slows the growth on the exposed side, causing the plant to grow unevenly. Older barrels can lean so far they uproot themselves and fall over especially after heavy rains when the soil is loose.<ref name="Dimmitt">Mark A. Dimmitt. [http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_cactus_.php Cactaceae (cactus family)]. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.</ref> Its life cycle is 50-100 years.

The fishhook barrel cactus typically grows to a diameter of roughly two{{convert|2.25 feet|ft|m|abbr=on}} and a height of three to six{{convert| feet3-6|ft|m|abbr=on}}. However, specimens as wide as three{{convert|3 feet|ft|m|abbr=on}} and tall as ten{{convert|10 feet|ft|m|abbr=on}} have been recorded.<ref> Barrelcactus Cactacae ''Ferocactus wislizeni''. [http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/Syllabus2/fwislizeni.htm USDA Fact Sheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902040412/http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/Syllabus2/fwislizeni.htm |date=2006-09-02 }}.</ref> The common name comes from the [[Spine (botany)|spines]], which are thick and hooked. It has a leathery [[Asparagus (color)|asparagus green]] [[Cortex (botany)|cortex]] (skin) with approximately 15-28 ribs per cactus. Its [[flower]]s are yellow to red-orange and appear atop the cactus [[fruit]] during the summer months. The fruits are green when unripe, yellow after the flower dries up, and persist atop the cactus long after the flower is gone, sometimes for more than a year.

In adulthood, fishhook barrel cacti generally leanslean southward, toward the sun, earning itthem the nickname "compass barrel cactus." One theory about why this happens is, the afternoon sun is so intense it slows the growth on the exposed side, causing the plant to grow unevenly. Older barrels can lean so far they uproot themselves and fall over, especially after heavy rains when the soil is loose.<ref name="Dimmitt">Mark A. Dimmitt. [http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_cactus_.php Cactaceae (cactus family)]. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.</ref> Its life cycle is 50-10050–100 years.

Like [[Sclerocactus]], ''Ferocactus'' typically grows in areas where water flows irregularly or depressions where water can accmulate for short periods of time. They are not associated with washes and [[Arroyo (creek)|arroyos]] but rather grow along rocky ridges and open bajadas.

Like ''[[Sclerocactus]]'', ''Ferocactus'' typically grows in areas where water flows irregularly or depressions where water can accmulateaccumulate for short periods of time. They are not associated with washes and [[Arroyo (creekwatercourse)|arroyos]] but rather grow along rocky ridges and open bajadas[[Bajada (geography)|bajada]]s.

The "fishhook" spines and the armored web of spines enclosing the cactus body are a defense against herbivory. Rarely a mature barrel cactus is found hollowed out by javalina but overall [[Opuntia|prickly pear]] experience much higher levels of damage from more species. Barrel cactus spines pose an extreme hazard for handling, penetrating boots and gloves. The roots are quite long but very shallow.

The "fishhook" spines and the armored web of spines enclosing the cactus body are a defense against herbivory. Rarely a mature barrel cactus is found hollowed out by javalina[[Peccary|javelina]] but overall [[Opuntia|prickly pear]] experience much higher levels of damage from more species. Barrel cactus spines pose an extreme hazard for handling, penetrating boots and gloves. The roots are quite long but very shallow.

<gallery>

File:Fishook Barrel Ferocactus wislizeni.jpg|Young Fishhook barrel cactus (''Ferocactus wislizeni'')

File:BarrelFerocactus Cactuswislizeni Cluster Sahuarita Arizona 2013.jpg|Fishhook barrel cactus cluster near [[Sahuarita, Arizona]].

File:Ferocactus wislizeni (Fishhook Barrel Cactus) fruit.jpg|Fruit atop a fishhook barrel cactus.

File:Ferocactus wislizeniiwislizeni 2008-05-01 01.jpg|Top view of young Fishhook Barrel

File:Ferocactus wislizeni338980330.jpg|Flowers

</gallery>

==Distribution==

The fishhook barrel cactus is native to [[southwestern United States]] and [[northwestern Mexico]]. More specifically, it can be found in southern [[Arizona]], southern [[New Mexico]], [[El Paso County, Texas]] and northern [[Sonora]], [[Sinaloa]], and [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], Mexico.<ref name="USFS">US Forest Service. Index of Species Information. [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/cactus/ferwis/all.html SPECIES: ''Ferocactus wislizenii''].</ref> It grows in gravelly or sandy [[soil]], more commonly on [[Alluvial fan|bajadas]] than steep [[slope]]s, at 1000 to 5300 feet (300-1600300–1600 m) elevation. It prefers full sun, and does well in hot arid climates. It is, however, [[frost]]-tolerant to 5 &nbsp;°F (-15 &nbsp;°C)<ref>Philippe Faucon. [http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Ferocactus_wislizenii.html Fishhook Barrel Cactus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207141530/http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Ferocactus_wislizenii.html |date=2012-02-07 }}. Desert Tropicals.</ref>

===Ecology===

The flowers are pollinated by cactus bees (''Lithurge'' spp.). [[Mule deer]], birds, [[Antelope squirrel|Antelope Ground Squirrels]] and [[Peccary|javelina]] eat the fruit. The birds especially like the [[seed]]s. The people of the [[Sonoran Desert]] use the fruit for [[candy]] and [[Fruit preserves|jelly]].<ref name="USFS" /> The [[Seri people|Seri]] and [[Tohono O'odham|O'odham]] eat the flowers and use the fruit, which is sour, as emergency food.<ref name="Dimmitt" /> Tradition says that the barrel cactus is a source of water for people lost without water in the desert. There are records of the southwestern Native Americans using it for that purpose,<ref>[{{Cite web|url=http://herbnaeb.umdbrit.umich.eduorg/herbuses/search.pl?searchstringspecies/1610/|title=Ferocactus+wislizeniBRIT - Native American Ethnobotony]Ethnobotany Database|website=naeb.brit.org|access-date=2019-03-23}}</ref> but the water contains [[oxalic acid]] and is likely to cause [[diarrhea]] if ingested on an empty stomach.<ref>[{{Cite web|url=http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_cactus_.php|title=Cactaceae Desert(cactus Museum]family)|website=www.desertmuseum.org|access-date=2019-03-23}}</ref>

The [[skin]] thickens with age, making older cacti more fire resistant. Even so, average mortality due to fire is 50 to 67 percent within the first two years following fire.<ref name="USFS" />

In urban areas, the Fishhook Barrel is valued as an ornamental plant. It is drought tolerant and good for [[xeriscaping]], and it is also a low-maintenance full-sun plant.

<gallery widthsmode="190px"packed heights="180px" 250px>

File:Arizona barrel cactus - Florence, AZ.jpg|''Ferocactus wislizeni'' habitat near [[Florence, Arizona]].

==Gallery==

[[File:Giant_Fishook_Barrel_Cactus_Arizona_2013Ferocactus wislizeni (Giant Fishook Barrel Cactus) Arizona 2013.jpg|thumb|Large fishhook barrel cactus near [[Sahuarita, Arizona]] ]]

<gallery widths="190px" heights="180px" >

File:Fishhook barrel cactus, Saguaro National Park (Rincon Mountain District), Arizona (2a930956-d8d1-4a39-b6c7-9b5e5121f721).jpg|Fishhook barrel cactus in [[Saguaro National Park]]

File:Fishook Barrel Ferocactus wislizeni.jpg|Young Fishhook barrel cactus (''Ferocactus wislizeni'')

File:Ferocactus wislizeni - Flickr - aspidoscelis (2).jpg|''Ferocactus wislizenii'', growing in habitat in [[Hidalgo County, New Mexico]]

File:Barrel Cactus Cluster Sahuarita Arizona 2013.jpg|Fishhook barrel cactus cluster near [[Sahuarita, Arizona]].

File:Fishhook Barrel Cactus fruit.jpg|Fruit atop a fishhook barrel cactus.

File:Ferocactus wislizenii 01.jpg|Top view of young Fishhook Barrel

</gallery>

==Taxonomy==

This species was first described as ''Echinocactus wislizeni'' in 1848 by [[George Engelmann]]. [[Nathaniel Lord Britton]] and [[Joseph Nelson Rose]] placed the species in the genus 'Ferocactus'' in 1922.<ref name="Dietrich Otto 1846 g058">{{cite web | last=Dietrich | first=Albert | last2=Otto | first2=Friedrich | title=Allgemeine Gartenzeitung | website=Biodiversity Heritage Library | volume=v.14 (1846) | date=1846 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15010410 | access-date=2024-01-17}}</ref>

==References==

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==External links==

{{Commonscat}}

*[http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/fewi.htm#Flower Fishhook Barrel Cactus Pictures at BioImages.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613180341/http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/fewi.htm#Flower |date=2008-06-13 }}

*[http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Ferocactus+wislizeni Fishhook Barrel Cactus Pictures at CalPhotos]

*[http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=13375&flora_id=1 Map of Fishhook Barrel Cactus range]

*[httphttps://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=FEWI USDA: NRCS Plants Profile ''Ferocactus wislizeni'']

*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415343 ''Ferocactus wislizeni'' at Flora of North America]; [http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=13375&flora_id=1 RangeMap]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q147282}}

[[Category:Ferocactus|wislizeni]]

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[[Category:Flora of Chihuahua (state)]]

[[Category:Flora of Northwestern Mexico]]

[[Category:Flora of the U.S. Rio Grande Valleysvalleys]]

[[Category:North American desert flora]]

[[Category:Plants used in Native American cuisine]]