Kingdom Plantae Family Cactaceae Scientific name Ferocactus viridescens Rank Species | Order Caryophyllales Genus Ferocactus Higher classification Ferocactus | |
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Similar Ferocactus, Cactus, Ferocactus fordii, Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus hamatacanthus | ||
Ferocactus viridescens top 5 facts
Ferocactus viridescens is a rare species of barrel cactus known by several common names, including Coast barrel cactus and San Diego barrel cactus. It is native to southern California and northern Baja California. Most of its native range is in San Diego County, California, where it is threatened by development, agriculture, and other alterations in its habitat.
This cactus is spherical, oblate, or nearly cylindrical, is usually wider than tall, and less than 30 centimeters in height. The flesh is bright green and arranged into several ribs covered in arrays of long spines. The spines stick straight out and may curve a bit, and are red when new, dulling to gray or tan. The cactus blooms in yellow to greenish flowers with red or pink scales. The fruit is yellow or red.
The Latin specific epithet viridescens means "turning green".
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
