Barrel Cactus – Echinocactus grusonii

• 13 Jan, 2010
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Native to Central Mexico, it is known as Golden Barrel Cactus, Golden Ball or, amusingly, Mother-in-Law's Cushion. Despite being one of the most popular cacti in cultivation, it is rare and critically endangered in the wild.

The Golden Barrel is one of the most common landscape cactus in the American Southwest. It is popular for its golden spines that keep looking attractive after several years.

The young Echinocactus are often available on the cactus displays in garden centers. They look quite different from the mature specimens. As the other Echinocactus and Ferocactus seedlings, the rib structure is not yet apparent, and they have pronounced tubercles making them look superficially like Mammillarias.