Ferocactus wislizeni
fishhook barrel cactus
Overview
Ferocactus wislizeni is a barrel-shaped cactus native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Mature plants form a single unbranched stem reaching 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall and 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) across, growing taller in old age. The stem carries 20-28 vertical ribs lined with clusters of spines: slender white radial spines and stout reddish central spines, the lowest flattened and hooked at the tip, which gives the plant its common name. Funnel-shaped flowers 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) wide open at the stem apex in summer, ranging from yellow-orange to red. These are followed by yellow, barrel-shaped fruits roughly 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long that persist into winter and are eaten by desert wildlife. Growth is slow, with plants adding less than an inch (2.5 cm) per year once established and living for over a century. The stem often leans toward the south or southwest with age, a trait behind its other name, compass barrel. It tolerates extreme heat and prolonged drought but is damaged by hard frost and waterlogged soil, which restricts its outdoor range to mild, arid climates.
Native Range
Native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and the northern Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua. It grows on rocky slopes, desert flats, and gravelly washes from 1,000 to 5,600 feet (300-1,700 m).Suggested Uses
Used as a specimen in xeriscape and desert gardens, rock gardens, and large containers in arid regions. It suits gravel beds and slopes where drainage is rapid and irrigation is minimal.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open at the stem apex from June to September, peaking after summer monsoon rains. Blooms are funnel-shaped, 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) wide, in shades of yellow-orange to red. Each flower lasts a few days, and a ring of fruit develops at the crown afterward.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Yellow-orange to redFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun and sharp-draining mineral soil such as sandy or gravelly mixes. Water sparingly during the warm growing season and withhold water in winter, when cool wet conditions cause root and stem rot. Hardy outdoors only in USDA zones 9-11, with container plants in colder regions moved under cover before frost. The plant stores water in its ribbed stem and lasts weeks without irrigation once established. A light feeding with low-nitrogen fertilizer in spring supports growth that has stalled. Young container plants are repotted every few years, with the hooked spines cushioned by thick padding.Pruning
No routine pruning is needed. Damaged or rotted tissue can be cut back to firm green flesh with a clean blade, with the wound left to callus before watering resumes. Spent fruit can be removed by hand once dry.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons