Echinocactus

Echinocactus is a genus of cacti in the subfamily Cactoideae. The generic name derives from the Ancient Greek εχινος (echinos), meaning "spiny," and cactus. It and Ferocactus are the two genera of barrel cactus. Members of the genus usually have heavy spination and relatively large flowers. The fruits are copiously woolly, and this is a primary distinction between Echinocactus and Ferocactus. The seeds are large compared to most cacti. Propagation is by seed. They thrive in hot, sunny and very arid environments.

Perhaps the best known species is the Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) from Mexico, an easy-to-grow and widely cultivated plant. Though common in the houseplant and landscape industry, the Golden Barrel has become very rare in habitat.

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