Ferocactus emoryi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ferocactus emoryi |
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| Ferocactus emoryi ssp. rectispinus at the botanical garden of Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini, Genova Pegli | |
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Ferocactus
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F. emoryi
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| Ferocactus emoryi (Engelm.) Orcutt
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Ferocactus emoryi, also known as Emory's barrel cactus, Coville's barrel cactus, or traveler's friend, is a cool type of barrel cactus. It belongs to the Ferocactus family. This cactus is known for its large size and strong spines.
What Does It Look Like?
Ferocactus emoryi is a single cactus that grows in a ball or cylinder shape. It can be light green or a bit bluish-green. It grows quite large, reaching about 60 to 100 centimeters (2 to 3 feet) wide. It can also grow very tall, up to 2 to 2.5 meters (6.5 to 8 feet)!
This cactus has 15 to 30 ribs, which are like ridges running down its sides. When the cactus is young, it also has small bumps called tubercles.
The spines on this cactus can be white or reddish. The main spine in the middle is very strong and long, about 4 to 10 centimeters (1.5 to 4 inches) long. There are also seven to twelve smaller spines around it, which can be up to 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) long.
The flowers of Ferocactus emoryi are large and shaped like a funnel. They are usually red or yellow. These flowers can be up to 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) long and 5 to 7 centimeters (2 to 2.8 inches) wide. After the flowers, the cactus produces oval-shaped fruits that are about 5 centimeters (2 inches) long.
Where Does It Grow?
You can find Ferocactus emoryi growing in the wild in two main countries:
- Mexico: It grows in the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and Baja California Sur.
- United States: It is found in the state of Arizona.
Where Does It Live?
This barrel cactus likes to grow in desert areas. You can find it in:
- Desert scrubs
- On hillsides
- Rocky slopes
- Sandy or gravely soils
It usually grows at elevations from sea level up to about 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) high.
Different Types
There are a couple of different types, or subspecies, of Ferocactus emoryi:
- Ferocactus emoryi var. emoryi
- Ferocactus emoryi var. rectispinus
See also
In Spanish: Ferocactus emoryi para niños
