I spotted these flowers on a barrel cactus up the slope on the neighbor’s property. I had the wrong shoes on to go up the slope to get a photo, so Bob climbed up and took this photo. I’m not sure of the exact species of this ferocactus, although it might be F. wislizeni. For sure, it sure has pretty flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
Update: Crotalus told us the variety of this cactus in comments . . .
This is Ferocactus cylindraceus, the California or Compass Barrel.
Thanks, Crotalus!
Howdy, Damsel!
This is Ferocactus cylindraceus, the California or Compass Barrel. Ferocactus wislizenii, the Fishhook Barrel, may make it to Wickenburg, but I think it stops just east of Phoenix. Ferocactus cylindraceus tends to be thinner than F. wislizenii, and its spine cover is denser as well. The flowers are also smaller than F. wislizenii, and are yellow, which is unusual for F. wislizenii. The big difference in flowers, though, is the timing. Ferocactus cylindraceus opens in the mid to late Spring, while F. wislizenii opens in late summer.
Very nice picture of a good-looking cactus.
Thanks Crotalus! This was on a neighbors undeveloped land, had to climb a little to get to it. But, well worth it. We’ve got one similar but the flowers look different.