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Ferocactus emoryi facts for kids

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Ferocactus emoryi
Cactaceae - Ferocactus emoryi.JPG
Ferocactus emoryi ssp. rectispinus at the botanical garden of Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini, Genova Pegli
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
(unranked):
(unranked):
(unranked):
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Ferocactus
Species:
F. emoryi
Binomial name
Ferocactus emoryi
(Engelm.) Orcutt
Synonyms
  • Echinocactus emoryi
  • Ferocactus rectispinus
  • Echinocactus covillei (Britton & Rose) A.Berger
  • Ferocactus covillei Britton & Rose

Ferocactus emoryi, known commonly as Emory's barrel cactus, Coville's barrel cactus and traveler's friend, is a barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus.

Description

Ferocactus emoryi Fishhook Cactus
This specimen in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is labeled "Fishhook Cactus"

Ferocactus emoryi is spherical or cylindrical solitary barrel cactus, light green to glaucous, reaching a diameter of 60–100 centimetres (24–39 in) and a height of 2–2.5 metres (6 ft 7 in – 8 ft 2 in). It has 15 to 30 ribs with tubercles, especially in the juvenile stage. The spines are white to reddish. The central spine is very strong, 4–10 cm long, while the seven to twelve radial spines reach lengths of up to 6 cm. The large and funnel-shaped flowers are usually red or yellow, reach lengths of up to 7.5 centimeters and have a diameter of 5 to 7 centimeters. The fruit is ovoidal, about 5 cm long.

Distribution

This species is found in nature in Mexico (Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur) and in the United States (Arizona).

Habitat

Ferocactus emoryi grows in the desert scrubs, hillsides, rocky slopes and gravely rocky or sandy soils, at an elevation of about 0–1,200 metres (0–3,937 ft) above sea level.

Subspecies

  • Ferocactus emoryi var. emoryi
  • Ferocactus emoryi var. rectispinus (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ferocactus emoryi para niños

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