San Diego Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus viridescens

Physical Description

• A rare species of barrel cactus.
• Spherical or nearly cylindrical, as it is usually wider than it is tall (averages 12 inches tall, 18 inches wide).
• The flesh is bright green, arranged into several ribs covered in long spines.
• Pink, red, green, or yellow flowers, with yellow or red fruit.
• Spines are red when new and they dull to gray as they age.

Range

• Southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico, along the coast.
• Most of its native range is in San Diego County.

Habitat

• Native to chaparral, valley grasslands, coastal sage scrub, marine terraces, and sea bluffs.
• Found in sandy, rocky places by the coast, often overlooking the ocean.

Reproduction

• Flowers in May and June.
• Seeds are harvested in July.

Diet

• Like all plants, it gets its energy from the sun through photosynthesis. It needs full sun and no shade to grow.

Predators

• Butterflies, moths, caterpillars that are hosted in the cactus.

Interesting Facts

• It is also called the coast barrel cactus..
• The flowers have no fragrance..
• The Kumeyaay utilized the barrel as a roasting vessel, ate the seeds, and used the spines as fish hooks..

Sources: CalFlora; California Native Plant Society; University of San Diego

Photo: Beth Besom

See the San Diego barrel cactus and other native plants in the Native Plant Garden at Living Coast Discovery Center.