Ferocactus viridescens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ferocactus viridescens |
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Ferocactus
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F. viridescens
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| Ferocactus viridescens (Torr. & Gray) Britt. & Rose
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The Ferocactus viridescens is a special kind of cactus that looks like a barrel. People call it the coast barrel cactus, keg cactus, or San Diego barrel cactus. It's quite rare and mostly grows in San Diego County, California, and also in northern Baja California, Mexico. This cactus is important to protect because its home is shrinking due to building and farming.
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Meet the Coast Barrel Cactus
The scientific name viridescens means "turning green." This name fits well because the cactus itself is a bright green color.
What Does It Look Like?
This cactus is usually round and flat, like a squashed ball. It can also be almost cylinder-shaped. It's usually wider than it is tall. This cactus grows to be less than 30 cm (12 in) (about 12 inches) in height.
The cactus has many ribs, which are like ridges, covered in long, sharp spines. These spines stick straight out and might curve a little. When they are new, the spines are red. As they get older, they turn gray or tan.
The Ferocactus viridescens grows pretty yellow or greenish flowers. These flowers have small red or pink scales. After the flowers, the cactus produces fruit that can be yellow or red.
Where Does It Live?
Most of these barrel cacti live in San Diego County, California. You can also find them in the northern part of Baja California, Mexico.
This cactus is considered rare. Its natural home is being changed by new buildings, farms, and other human activities. This makes it harder for the Ferocactus viridescens to survive in the wild.
Growing This Cactus
This plant can handle temperatures as low as 5 °C (41 °F) (about 41 degrees Fahrenheit). If you live in a place with cooler weather, you usually need to grow this cactus indoors in a greenhouse. However, during warm summer months, you can place it outside in a safe, sunny spot.
The Ferocactus viridescens has received a special award called the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This means it's a great plant for gardens.
See also
In Spanish: Ferocactus viridescens para niños
