Ferocactus herrerae
In Guamúchil, Sinaloa, Mexico
Flower details
Conservation status
Vulnerable  ( IUCN 3.1) [1]
CITES Appendix II ( CITES) [2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Genus:	Ferocactus
Species:	F. herrerae
Binomial name
Ferocactus herrerae J.G.Ortega, 1927
Synonyms
Ferocactus wislizeni subsp. herrerae Pilbeam & Bowdery, 2005 Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae N.P.Taylor, 1984

Ferocactus herrerae, commonly known as the twisted barrel cactus, ^{[3] [4] [5]} Herrera's barrel cactus, ^[6] or the biznaga ^[4] (in Classical Nahuatl), is a species of viviparous barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus of the family Cactaceae that is native to southwestern Sonora to the northwestern coastline of Sinaloa in western Mexico. ^[7]

Description

F. herrerae is a solitary cactus, reaching an average height of 2 m (6.56 ft), and 40 cm (15.74 in) in diameter.It features 13 deep ribs, initially heavily tuberculated. Areoles are 2.03 cm long with 7-9 spines, with supposed bristle-like radials up to 10 centimeters long and 5 millimeters wide. Flowers are yellow, with red-pink midribs and brown tips, blooming from Summer to early Autumn. The funnel-shaped flowers are yellow with a red central stripe, reaching up to 6 centimeters in length and diameter. Fruit are yellow-green and fleshy, 4 to 6 centimeters long, and 2.5 to 3 centimeters in diameter, splitting open at their base. ^[3] It starts out in a globular barrel cactus form and eventually, as it matures, developing into a signature cylindrical barrel cactus form. ^[8]

Taxonomy

It was described by Mexican botanist, Jesús González Ortega in 1927. ^[9] Its common name refers to its twisted, barrel cactus shape habit, with long, hooked, or barbed spines. ^[3]Ferocactus herrerae was originally listed as a subspecies or variety of Ferocactus wislizeni until it was elevated to full species status based on morphological differences. ^[9] The prior treatment is still used by some authors. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Ferocactus herrerae is native to portions of coastal southwestern Sonora to the northwestern coastline of Sinaloa in western Mexico, at elevations of under 400 m in coastal plains or semi-arid to arid shrubland. ^[7] Its range is sometimes said to extend into extreme western Durango. ^[9]

Conservation

Ferocactus herrerae was assessed and listed as " Vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List ( International Union for Conservation of Nature), for agricultural land clearance and conversion, combined with shrimp farming practices have greatly limited populations. Its current population is decreasing at a rate of 30%. ^[7] It may also be provided a source of protection from CITES Appendix ll, though this cannot be certain. ^[10]

Uses

Ferocactus herrerae is commonly used as an ornamental cactus out of its native range. ^[8] Its seeds can be ground into flour, and its fruit are edible, ^[11] showing numerous positive nutritional aspects. ^[12]

Ecology

Ferocactus herrerae is commonly pollinated by various cactus bee species ( Lithurgus spp.).

Gallery

• 
  In Jardín de Cactus, Guatiza, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
• 
  In Jardín de Cactus, Guatiza, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
• 
  In Guamúchil, Sinaloa, Mexico
• 
  As an ornamental cactus
• 
  Detached or curved individual in Guamúchil, Sinaloa, Mexico

References