Ferocactus

Ferocactus John Pilbeam and Derek Bowdery

Contents Preface

2

Acknowledgements

2

Introduction

4

Classification

6

Ferocactus fruits

8

Key to the species

9

Cultivation

12

Map of distribution area

14

Geography and distribution

15

Species as they occur in the southern USA and Mexico (by states)

Checklist of species

17

Species commentary

18

Referred and other superfluous names

106

Field Collection Numbers

111

Bibliography

115

Herbaria

116

Herbaria where Ferocactus have been deposited

First Edition 2005 © British Cactus and Succulent Society, John Pilbeam. Derek Bowdery and photographers.

ISBN, 0 902099 76 0

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic. mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the Publisher and Copyright owner.f. The copyright of all photolvaphs remains with the credited photographer.

Published and distributed by: The British Cactus and Succulent Society Authors: John Pilbeam and Derek Bowdery De:.ignIProducrion: David Neville and Graham Charles Repro and Printing by: Cast1e Colour, Norwich U.K.

Preface For some years now I have watched the enthusiasm of Derek Bowdery for the genus Ferocactus with wonder and awe at his ski ll in growing these plants. When many of us after a few years would leave their seed-raised plants of this genus in a toe-cramping pot of about 15cm for many years before, maybe, potting them on to at most a 25cm pot, Derek has steadi ly pushed his plants on, watered them well and fed them mightily to produce the sort of plants after about 20 years that we have seen comparably only in the wild, or field grown in nurseries in climates kinder than in the UK. The accolade of a gold medal for a display of the (all but) complete genus of Ferocactus at a Royal Horticultural Society display a few years ago. was matched only by the su nshine which shone down on the plants on the stand, which brought out the colours of the spines wonderfully in celestial approval of his efforts. Many of hi s seed-raised plants have flowered, and the sight of these football or larger sized representatives of a genus that few of us grow to their full potential is one of the best sights in the hobby. Helping him to lift them and transport them to such a display is quite another matter, and one not to dwell on

here, especially as they are liable to show their lack of appreciation of suffering the indignity of being so unnaturally moved about, with severe attacks from their spines, for which they are so aptly named "Fero(cious )cactus". Trave lling with Derek in the wilds of Mexico is an education too with regard to this genu s, with the frequent cry of "STOP" from him as he espied yet another Ferocactus beckoning him from the hillsides, and we would be dragged to them, not protesting too much, to admire the spi nes, the flowers or just the sheer bulk of this wonderful beacon of the cactus world, beaming out from the hills as an indicator of cactus habitats. I am grateful to him for this education, and I am grateful to him too for agreeing 10 co-operate in producing this book on the genus. Long may he cry "STOP" to me, I always will for these beautiful plants.

John Pilbeam

Acknowledgements Our grateful thanks are due to our companion on the various trips we have made, Bill Weightman, although he was onc of the more difficult drivers to make STOP on occasions. He made up for this however by taking somewhat better photographs than at least one of the authors is capable of taking. We must also sing le out for special mention Nigel Taylor, who fOLlnd time to read our efforts and make useful suggestions, as well as bringing his key up to date. In addition he agreed in anticipation of this book to describe the hitherto undescribed subspecies of F fordii, which has long been commonly grown as this spec ies although the original description is of a plant from much further south and rarely seen in cultivation. Thanks are also due to the various other volunteers of photographs, both of plants in captivity, and, perhaps more importantly of plants in the wild, where they reach their full potential in both size, coloration and tlowering capabilities. They include: Robin Alabaster, Erik Anderson, Ted Andersont, Salvador Arias Montes, Sonia Barker-Frickert, Ron Bates, Darl Bickel, Janos Bodor, Jean Bonnefond, Jean-Marc

2

Chalet, Graham Charles, Joe Clements, Mick Cotter, Colin Cutler, Amante Darmanin, Martin Edwards, Charles Glasst, Alan Hart, Paul Hoxey, Gary James, Bert Jonkers, Brian Kemble, Frank Keoghan, David Kirkbright, Martin Kristen & Julia Etter, Fred Lampo, Alfred Lau, Joel Lode, Martin Lowry, Eberhard Lutz, John Miller, Mark Muradian, David Neville, John and Dorothy Pasek, Bill Pluemer, Malcolm Pym, Gordon Rowley, David Ru shforth, Nigel Taylor, A ldo Torrebruno, Robin Walton, Franziska & Richard Wolf, Milan Zachar. Lastly, many thanks to David Neville and Graham Charles for laying out the book in sLlch an attractive way.

Fig. 1 (opposite page): In early August, the spectacular Hower display of F. emoryi subsp. emoryi, west of

Peter's Corner, Arizona, USA

3

Introduction The genus Ferocactus is not as widely grown in cultivation as it might be, and does not often receive the attention from growers that the plants need for best results. In the climates of the kinder States of the USA with the advantage of little danger of frost, many can be grown outdoors, and in these circumstances these plants do well. In the UK they can with advantage be placed outdoors in the summer months, when they will not be so liable to be disfigured with sooty mould, and will develop their spines to best potential. There are a handful of species that are smaller growing than most, which will flower at IScm diameter or Jess, notably F. fordii subsp. borealis, F. viridescens, F. macrodiscus, and F. alamosanus and subsp. reppenhagenii. F. latispinus at this size too will produce buds in cultivation in the UK in late August to early September, but usually needs coddling by removal to a sunny position indoors in the dwelling house with higher temperatures than normally maintained in the glasshouse, else the buds lend to abort with the lower night temperatures and shortening days. Many of the larger growing species will oblige when they get to small football size, and this has proved to be the case in the last few years in Derek's collection in Norfolk, where tlowers have also been forthcoming on F. chrysacanthlls, F. cylindracells (and subsp. eastwoodiae), F. echidlle, F. emoryi (and subsp. rectispinlls), F. giallcescens, F. gracilis (and subsp. coLoratus and subsp. galesii), F. histrix, F. peninsulae (and subsp. santa-maria and subsp. townsendianus), F. pifosus, F. schwarzii and F. wiJlizeni.

British Cactus and Succulent Society. The authors have taken into account Lindsay's doctoral thesis on the genus of 1955, published with additional material by other Ferocactus enthusiasts, including research on the DNA analysis by J. Hugo Cota, when he was working at the Department of Botany, Iowa State University and the Centro de Educacion Ambiental e Investigacion Sierra de Huautla (CEAMISH) at the Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos, Mexico. We have also been influenced to some extent by the treatment of the genus by Gottfried Unger in his massive book Die grossen Kugelkakleen Nordamerikas, some of whose theories we have some sympathy with. Franziska and Richard Wolf's lovely books Baja CaLifornia und seine Inseln (1999) and Die Ferokakteen der Baja California (2004) have been enlightening too with many habitat photographs taken on the islands around Baja Califomia. most of which they visited. The species of various other genera which have been assigned to this genus are covered in the chapter called 'Referred and other superfluous names', with an indication of the genus to which they arc more generally considered to belong; also in this part of the book are those other Ferocactus names which have been applied to the accepted species of the genus, with their application indicated. So, if you do not find a name you seek in the first part of the book, in the 'Species commentary', look for it in the 'Referred' chapter. If you do not find it there either, it may mean that it is a catalogue name with no validity, has not been validly published, or has been published after the publication date of this book.

They undoubtedly benefit from being potted on every two or three years at least, to encourage them to grow to flowering size that much more quickly, although age has some relevance in this area, and there are underpotted plants in some people's collections which have been virtually dwarfed, producing flowers at what seems an unnarurally small size - but this is not to be advocated for best results. Recommendations for growing them successfully are included in the chapter on cultivation. The species included here are mostly those which are recognized by Nigel Taylor in his review of the genus published in 1984 in Bradfeya, the yearbook of the

4

Fig. 2 (opposite page): The tall columns of F cylindraceus slibsp. leconlei on a steep hillside in eastern Arizona, USA

5

Classification The genu s was set up by Britton and Rose in their classic work The Cactaceae, pub li shed in four volumes between 191 9 and 1923. Ferocactus is covered in volume 3 from page 123 to 147. Of particular interest are three photographs incl ud ing people of the time: figure 143 seems to be of a young boy behind a large clump of F. robustus, which looks suspiciously like the one featured in this book; figure 153b is a photograph of F. rostii (F cylindraceus) taken by E. C. Rost, and including a moustachioed, elderly man, a good foot shofter than the plant, standing questioningly by it with a pick as if to say "You don', realJy mean that you want me to dig this onc out ?". But the best is one taken by Dr. MacDougal in 1903 of a man drinking from his c upped hands liquid obtained from a beheaded Ferocactus, ill ustrating graphica lly the information in the text on the previous page, where the reader is informed that "water is often obtained by travelers in the great deserts of wes tern Mexico and the southwestern United States ... by slicing off the top of a large plant and mashing the pulp". Britton and Rose's definition of the genus is as follows: "Globular to cylind ri c, often large cacti; ribs thick and prominent; spi nes well developed, either straigh t or hooked; areoles usually large, beari ng flowers on ly when young and then only just above the spinecl usters, more or less felted when young; flowers usually large, broadly fu nne l-shaped to campan ulate, usually with a very short tube; stamens numerous, borne o n the throat, short; ovary and flower-tube very scaly; scales naked in their axils; fru it oblong, usually thick-walled and dry, dch iscing by a large basal pore; seeds black, pitted, never tubercul ate; embryo curved. Type spec ies: Echinocactlls wislizeni Engel mann. "The generic name is fro m ferus ~ wild, fierce, and cactus, referring to the very spi ny character of the plants. "We recognize 30 species, heretofore treated under Echinocactus, all from North America . The genus differs from Echinocactus proper in its fruits and flowers ." Thereafter Britton and Rose listed the 30 species in a key, which in view of subsequent changes we have not

6

reproduced here. But the list of species originall y included is of interest, and in alphabetical order (with the cu rrently accepted name in brackets) is as follows:

F acanthodes (F cylindraceus); F alamosanus; F chrysacanthwi; F. covillei (F. emoryi); F. crassihamalus (Sclerocactus); F. diguetii; F. echidne; Fjlavovirens; FJordii; F glaucescens; F. hamatacanthus; F. horridus (F. peninsulae); F. johnsonii (SclerocactIls); F. latispinlls; F. lecontei (F. cylindraeeus subsp. Lecontei); F. macrodisC/ls; F. melocactiformis (F. histrix); F. nobilis (F. recurvus); F. orcuttii (F. viridescens); F. peninsulae; F. pringlei (F. piloSllS); F rectispinu!>' (F emoryi subsp. reetispinus); F. robustus; F. rostii (F. cylindraceus); F. santa-maria (F. peninsu/ae subsp. santa-maria); F. stainesii (F. piloslls); F townsendianus (F pen insulae subsp. townsel/dian us); F. uncinatus (Sclerocactus); F viridescens; F. wisLizeni. The next major work on the gen us was by George Lindsay, a thesis produced in 1955, but unpublished until 1996 when it was printed with some textual and photographi c additions by modern enthusiasts for the genus. The original work formed the basis for Nigel Taylor's review of the genus published in 1984 in Bradleya 2, the yearbook of the British Cactus and Succulent Society. Gottfried Unger published his work on this genus and Echinocactus in 1992 entitled Die grossen Kugelkakteen Nordamerikas, wh ich contains much information by way of reproduced material, as well as some original thought on some of the problem areas in the genus . In its nearly 500 pages it con tains an incredible amount of information, reflecti ng the scope that computers have enabled us to plumb without the slog of the old typewriter days, as well as nearly 300 co lour photographs , many in habitat. The classification we have followed in this book is basically that set out by Nigel Taylor in his review of 1984, fo llowing the preliminal)' study based on the morphology of seeds in the previous year's Bradleya by Taylor and Jonathan Y Clark.

This resulted in the division of the genus into two Sections, each with two groups as fo ll ows: Section Feroca ctus

Section Bisnaga

Ripe frui t yellow, rare ly pink, with a thick fleshy wall but dry inte rior, the seeds generall y escap ing via a pore formed around the base of the fru it as it becomes detached; seeds with a broad hilum -micropylar rim, mostly black, shiny o r du ll , to 3mm long.

Ripe fru it red, pink or purplish, rarely ye llow or whiti sh, interior very juicy and sweet, not dehiscing via a basa l pore but so metimes ruptu ri ng near apex and ex truding seeds in liquid ; seed s with a sharp, narrow hilu m-micropylar rim, brown to black, very glossy, mostly [css than 2 mm lo ng.

Type (as for genus): F. wislizeni (Engelm. ) B. & R. Type: F latispillll.\· (Haw.) B. & R. F ROBUSTUS GROUP F GLAUCESCENS GROUP Sp ines typica ll y numerous (more than 10 per areole) and often differentiated into, or varying between very fine, bri stle- like and SlOut. Seeds with tabular to shall ow o r deeply orchidoid testa-ce ll s, pericl ina l wall s someti mes verrucose. Includes: F. chrysacall1llt1s, F. cylindracells, F. fordii, F. gracilis, F. jolmstoniolltls, F piioSlIS, F. robllstus, F. peninsulae, F. viridescel1s, F wislizeni. F POTfS ll GROUP Sp ines up to 10 per areole, of more or less un iform thick ness. Seeds with tabul ar-concave testa-cell s. Incl udes: F. diguetii, F. emoryi, F. lindsay; *, F. pottsii.

Stems caespitose or so li tary, with up to 20 ribs; spines terete, mo re or less straight. Seeds very smooth with tabular or very Shallowly orchidoid testa-cell s. Includes: F. olamosafllls, F. e(:hidne. F flavovirens, F. glollcescells, F. schwarzii.

F. LAT ISPINUS GROUP Stems sol itary, somet imes very large; central spines often flatt ened dorsi-ventrally, straight or curved, or recurved to hooked at apex. Seeds with tabu larco ncave ('pined ' ) testa-cell s. Includes: F. haemataccllltiJus, F. hamatacanthus, F. histrix, F. fafispillllS, F. macrodiscus, F. recurvus** .

T his book contains five ncw combinations; On page 82: FerocacttlS pel/insulae subsp. santa-maria stat. nov. On page 83 : Ferocactus peninsulae subsp. townsendianus stat. nov. On page 9 1: Ferocacllls recllrvus subsp. greenwoodii stat. nov. On page 103: Ferocatlls wislizelli subsp. herrerae stat. nov. On page 105: Ferocacw s wisJizeni subsp. tiburollensis stat. nov.

• Placed here in 1987 (8 nuJleya 5); previously misplaced •• Regarded by Taylor liS /.: latispifJus subsp. spiralis

7

Ferocactus fruits As indicated in the classification above the fruit forms an easily observed basis for dividing the genus into the two sections.

In the wild ants are often seen busy around the fruits, as well as laking the nectar exuded by the glands

above the areoles of many species, and they seem to be favourite for carrying the seeds off to pastures new,

In Section Ferocactus the ripe fruit is yellow, rarely pink, with a thick tleshy wall but dry interior, the seeds usually escaping through a small hole at the base of the fruit. In the Section Bisnaga the ripe fruit is red, pink or purplish, rarely yellow or whitish, the interior very juicy and sweet, not dehiscing by a basal pore but sometimes rupturing near the apex and extruding seeds in liquid.

8

if not too distant. The sweet liquid jelly exuded by those in the Section Bisnaga we suspect attracts birds or other larger creatures, who likewise then carry off the seeds in the sticky mass either internally or perhaps externally too . The accompanying photographs of some of the fruits show what an attractjve addition they are to the appearance of the plants after their usually sumptuous flower display.

Key to the species This is modified by Nigel Taylor from that in hi s review of the gen us in Bradleya 2, pages 19-20 (1984), taking into account hi s later notes in Brad/eya 5 (1987), pages 95-96, relating to F. lindsay; and F. pitoslls.

1. SIems highly branched , formin g large clusters or mo unds more than 2m diameter; ste ms less than 25cm diameter, w ith 8 to 13(- 15) ribs; spi nes more than 13 per areole; seeds with tabu lar rcsla-cells, not pitted (Mexico, south-cast Puebla to north Oaxaca)

.2

I. Stem so litary or, if clustered, then either stems, ribs, spines or seeds not as above.

. .............. 3

.... F. flavovircns

2. Flowers and fruits red ; stem ribs (1 1-)13(-15)

........... F. robustus

2 . Flowers and fruit s yellow; stem ribs 8

3. Spines 1- 11 per areole, straight or s lightl y c urved , none strong ly flallened above or recurved to hooked at ....... ...... . . . . . .....................A

_

3. Spi nes more than II per areole or at least one strongly flatt e ned and/or recurved to hooked at apex , or stern ribs 13-16 and spiralled

.........................

............

4. Seeds smooth o r with retic ulate marking, but not pitied

. .. 15 ..... 5

......... . . . . ...... 8

4. Seeds pitted .......... .

5. Spines [-6(-8), more or less equal , to 2.5(-5.5)cm lo ng; stems 15-50(-60)cm diame te r

... 6

5. Spines usua ll y more than 7, unequal , the central longer, 3- IOcm ; stems to 25 (-30)cm diameter

... 7

.. F. glaucescens

6. Stem glaucous; seeds very smooth (east Mexico) .....

6. Stcm dark green, seeds with a reticulate patte rn of raised testa-cell marg in s (west Mexico, Sinaloa) . . .... ................. . . .... F. schwarzii 7. Areo les well separated on the ribs, 2-4c m apart; ste ms often clu stered; sti gmas 10- 14 (east Mexico)

........

. .. .. ... F. echidne

7. Areoles about Icm apart or more or less con nuent on the ribs; ste m solitary; st igmas about 7 (west Mexico)

... F. alamosanus 8. Fruit red 10 purple, indehiscent, and/or very juicy and deliquescent; ribs acute; ste m not exceedin g 1.2m hi gh . . . . . . . .

. ................. .9

8. Fruit yellow or dehiscing by a basal pore; ribs obtuse or acute; stem 30cm to 4m high

...............

.. ...... ...... . 11

9. Flowe rs yell ow; seed about 1mm ..

.. F. histrix

9. Flowers red to purplish-pink; seed about 1.8 to 2 mrn

. ....... 10

9

10. Stem globular to cylindric, 30-l20cm high; flower 6-7em long

...F. haematacanthus

to. Stem depressed-globose, disc-shaped, to about lOem high; flower 3-4cm long ...........

........

II. Central spine I per areole, conspicuous 11. Central spines 4 or not distinct from radials; seeds 1.5-2mm .......... .

. ........ F. macrodiscus ............. 12 . ................ 14 ...F. lindsayi

12. Fruit red; seed 1mm, elongate-curved (Michoacan)

12. Fruit yellow; seed 2-3mm, ovoid (north-west Mexico, south-west USA) ........ .

. ... 13

13. Flower to 4.5cm long; stem to 1m high (Mexico, south-west Chihuahua, south-east Sonora, north Sinaloa) .......... ............ .............. . ... F. pottsii 13. Flower 6-7.5cm long; stem to 2.5m high (USA, south Arizona to Mexico, north Sinaloa, mainland Baja California Sur) . . . . . . . . . . . . ..............................F. emoryi 14. Stem ribs about 13-20; spines usually red, some more or less flattened or angled, hairlike whitish spines often present; stems often in clumps (central northern Mexico)

.F. pilosus 14. Stem ribs 25-35; spines clear yellow, rarely reddish-brown, terete, all of one type; . ......... F. diguetii stem solitary (islands on west side of Gulf of California) ...... 15. Scales on receptacle-tube and fruit with long narrowly attenuate apices (central north and south Mexico) . . . . . . .. ........ ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . *F. latispinus 15. Scales not

a~

..... 16

above

16. Fruit pinkish-red and indehiscent, and/or very juicy, deliquescent, releasing the seeds in fluid. . . . . . ...... . 16. Fruit yellow or dehiscing by a basal pore when fully ripe. 17. Spines straight or curved but not hooked at apex; flower 3-4cm, short-tubed

. ... 17

. ................ 19 .............. 18

17. At least one spine per areole hooked at apex; flower 6-lOcm, with a long tube

..F. hamatacanthus 18. Plowers purplish-pink to red, tepals with paler margins: seeds to 2mm .. F. macrodiscus

18. Flowers yellow; seeds ahout 1mm

.......... F. histrix

19. Radial spines 7-9 per areole, terete, only slightly thinner than the solitary terete or laterally compressed central ........ .................. ............................ .F. emoryi 19. Radial spines more than 9 or at least some much thinner than the one or more centrals ............ .20

*Includes F. recurvus, regarded by Taylor as F. IOlispinus subsp. spiralis

10

20. Perianth-scgmcnts remaining more or less erect at anthesis; flowers to 2.5crn diameter; stems often clustering, to 3m high; principal spines 6-12, none curved or hooked at apex, often accompanied by very fine hair-like radials (central north Mexico) .................. F. pilosus 20. Perianth-segments spreading; flowers 3 .S-bcrn diameter, stems rarely clustering; spines not as above or centrals and radials intergrading (north-west Mexico and USA) . . .. .. . .. . .. 21 21. Flowers violet-purple to mac (Mexico, west coast of Baja California. Bahia Sebastian Viscaino to ahout 31 N) .......................................................................F. fordii 0

21. Flowers green, yellow, orange or red

........................................... ll

22. Spines clearly differentiated into stout dark coloured centrals plus upper and lower radials, and finer whitish laterally directed radials, or the latter absent, and seeds with tabular testa-cells ..................................................... 23 22. Spines in each areole intergrading in size and colour; seeds with concave testa-cells .......................................... 25 23. Largest of the upward and downward directed central spines equally flattened and similar. curved but not normally hooked at apex, or fruits to 7.5cm long; tlowers red (Mexico, Baja California 28-31" N) .................................... F. gracilis 23. Largest central spine more flattened than the others or otherwise dissimilar, often strongly recurved or hooked; flowers red to yellow; fruits to 6cm long ................... . ............... 24 24. Seeds with tabular, finely verrucose, more or less isodiametric testa-cells, the raised anticlinal walls at the margin of each cell not prominent (south-west USA; .......... . Mexico, Chihuahua, Sonora, north Sinaloa, west Durango)

.F. wislizeni

24. Seeds with tabular to concave, coarsely verrucose testa-cells, the verrucae few and separate, the raised cell margins prominent. or the cells oblong (Mexico, Baja . ........... F. peninsulae California, Baja California Sur, from 29° N to the Cape) .... 25. Flowers greenish; spines to Scm long; seed about 1.5mm (Mexico, north-west Baja California west of Sierra San Pedro, Sierra Martir and Sierra Juarez; USA, California near San Diego) ... F. viridescens 25. Flowers yellow, orange or reddish, or green but with other colours in (he same population; spines to S-17cm long; seeds about 2-3mm . . . . . . . .. 26 26. Central and radial spines more or less equal in number (10), the former mostly porrect, to Scm long, twisted flattened and fairly uniform, or flowers orange to red with 4-5mm wide inner perianth-segments (Mexico, west Baja California, below Punta Abreojos to Isla Cedros) .......... ............. . ...................... F. cbrysacanthus 26. Central spines fewer than radials and 4 of the fonner much larger than the others, to 7-17cm long, or central spines more or less adpressed or not differentiated from radial spines; inner perianth-segments 7-11mm wide (Mexico, east and north-west Baja California, north-west Sonora; south-west USA) ........................................... **F. cylindraceus

"''''Includes f:johnstonianus. regarded by Taylor as probably a disjunct island relation of F. cylindraceu.\·

ii

Cultivation Like all cacti in cultivation Ferocactus need plenty of light, watering in the growing period, repotting (especially in the early years of their growth), protection from frost and excessive wetting in less kind climates, and provision of sufficient nutrients (0 enable growth to be slowly but steadily achieved. The usual precautions against attack from the various pests also need to be taken, although they are themselves well equipped to resist attack from domestic animals, including their owners. What follows is a guide mainly directed to growers in the United Kingdom; readers in other countries will hopefully have developed their own ways of keeping their plants in their particular climatic conditions.

Light Light is, as with most cacti, essential for healthy growth, and in the summer months these plants more than many cacti benefit from being in the open air to maximize the amount of sunlight they receive. Certainly in habitat in the southern USA and Mexico they are sun-seeking, growing out in the open and taking all the sunshine they get with equanimity. In the UK this largely solves the problem of sooty mould forming on the sugary secretion these plants make from glands above the areoles, of which more below. If kept continuously in a glasshouse shading is unnecessary, but air circulation in sunny weather should be maintained to prevent the plant'> scorching through too much heat in confined conditions, especially if they are close to the glass. From early spring onwards it is important that the plants receive the maximum light. To this end the glass should be cleaned and any winter protection by way of plastic should be removed.

growing to swell the plants and let them know that the time has come for growth. Allow the plants to dry out before watering again - the time this takes will depend on the size of pOlS the individual plants are in, varying from a week or two for pots below about lOem in diameter, to as much as a month for larger pots. As the spring gives way to summer watering can be increased, and once danger of night frost is past the plants may be stood outside the glasshouse. Protection will be necessary from slugs and snails, which will relish this exotic change of diet, spines or not. The wool on the areoles, when plants are kept outside, does tend to lose its colour and become greyish and, if there is excessive rain (not uncommon in the UK), nutrients are quickJy leached from the pots. In this case, repouing in the winter following is advised. As summer comes to an end, reduce the frequency of watering, and bring the plants inside the glasshouse as soon as there is danger of fTost. Water should be withheld from large pots (2Ocm or more) from the end of September to give them time to dry off completely before the late autumn, smaller plants can be watered until about the end of October.

Feeding Fertilizers with a high potash content may be used during the growing period at full strength recommended recommended for tomatoes, (any fertilizer chrysanthemums or roses is fine); this will promote good growth of spines as well as the plants, and will encourage flowering. It makes sense to give the fertilizer mixture a day or two after a general watering when the plants' roots are in active growth, so that the maximum uptake of the nutrients is achieved; this secondary fertilizer dosing can then be less in quantity as well as more effective

Watering Compost Watering depends on the individual grower's conditions where the plants are kept, but should broadly follow that recommended for most other cacti. This means none in the cold winter months, to allow the plants to indulge in the rest period for which they are well adapted, and to avoid any inclination to grow when light is at a low level, which will result in soft, uncharacteristic growth and weak spine development, if not their demise from the combination of low temperatures and dampness. One good watering on the first really sunny day in early spring will wake the plants up and get the hair roots

12

The potting medium is a vexed subject, and if the reader has a mixture which suits his plants then the advice is stick to it, and experiment carefully with any changes adopted. A compost based on soil, preferably with a clay-like appearance seems to give good results, with the addition of small particle grit to open the mixture and facilitate drainage; two parts of compost to one of grit seems to be about right.

Repotting Moving the plants on into the next sized pot in the first few years will encourage them to develop quickly. E ven when they are in pots exceeding IScm they wi ll benefit from such repon ing every 2 or 3 years as the soil will have exhausted any nutrients, and the humus content will have broken down and reduced the ability to hold water, to the detriment of the plant. The common sense time to repol seems 10 be, as for most plants, when they are resting in the winter, so that any damage to the roots is given time \0 callus before being in contact with water in the soil. Use a dl)'ish mixture when reponing, and withhold water for at least 2 or 3 weeks afterwards. Topdressing the compost with a layer of grit not only improves the appearance of the polted plant but slows down the transpiration of water from the compost during the growing period as well as preventing mud splashes on the plants when watering, or the fonnation of mosses and algae on the surface. As w ith most very spiny plants, and this certainly appl ies to all species of Ferocacllls, we have found that a thick c ushion of several layers of either crumpled newspaper or. better, bubble polythene on the work surface enables carefu lly laying the plant down sideways on this cushion, and then tipping out the plant sideways from the pot by knocking the pot away with sharp taps on the rim . The root ball can then be grasped 10 lift the plant into position in the new pot, which shou ld have sufficient depth of compost in the bottom already to keep the plant more or less at it.s previous level, followed by carefully and gen tl y tamping fresh compost around the rootball. In Lhis way neither the plant's spi nes are damaged, nor, if you are careful, do you have 10 come into contact with the spines.

Temperature Most species will be happy with a minimum winter temperature of 5°C. but some w il l do better and be less likely to suffer cold damage if IIJ'C can be provided. This particularly seems 10 apply to F. iatispinlls, F. reel/rvlls, F. roblls/lls and F.j1avovi rells. Having said that, there are growers in the UK who provide no heat, drying the plants off at the latest by mid-September, and their plants seem not to suffer at all , but in these circumstances it is advisable to keep the air moving in the glasshouse by means of a fan.

Pests The usual pests of cacti, mealy bug and red spider mite, will attack your Feroeaetlls plants given a chance. A bad infestation of either is best treated w ith a systemic insecticide, thorough ly drenching the plants to ensure

maxi mum effect. But if your collection is relatively cle.m. and only sl ightly affected by an advance party of either pest, then a contact insecticide w ill keep them at bay. Constant inspection fo r early signs of attack is advisable to avert serious damage by these insidious pests. If us ing a ny insecticide do remember that they arc dangerous chemicals. and full precautions to avoid skin contact or inhalation of the vapour from them should be rigorous ly followed. Leave the glasshouse for several hours at least after their use, and wash face a nd hands and any other exposed skin. Predators are fashio nable at present for pest control , but that is all they wi ll do, controllhem, they do not usually eradicate them completely and have the disadvantage of needing for their survival warmer conditions in the winter than usually economically possible to provide.

Sooty mould Most spec ies of FerocaclIIs bear a gland at the top of each areole, which exudes nectar. If the nectar is aJlowed to remain on the plant a mould will fonn, the fruiting parts of which form an unsightly black coaling around the areole. as well as the spi nes and body of the plant, wherever the nectar is present, spoiling the appearance of the plant. Once formed this mould is very difficult to remove. One way of prevention is to spray regularly with water (preferab ly rainwater as this leaves no residue), so that the nectar is constantl y washed away as fast as it is produced. Another method of combating the formation of sooty mould is to encourage sufficient ants, bees. hover-flies or wasps to the g lasshouse. which all love to sup the nectar. Unfortunately this marshall ing of insect help is not very easy to achieve, and there are some disadvantages in introducing the most effective of these, the ants. In the su mmer months the plants can with some advantage be placed outside, so that they are more accessible to these benefic ial insects and subject to occasional waS hing from our inevi table summer showers, but it is left 10 the reader to decide which method could be most effective in his or her situation bearing in mind the rema rks above in the paragraph about watering. Plants placed outside in the UK are subject La scorch unless gradualJy acclimatized to the extra light , and a position g iving some dappled shade for at least part of the day is adv isable. Finally let liS reiterate the advice given at the beginning of this c hapter: if you have found methods of growing your plants which work carry on using them.

13

Map of distribution area

~Bahamas

Haiti

Salvador

I

Key to Shllcs of the U.S.A. I. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

California

Nevada Utah Colorado Arizona

New Mexico Texas Oklahoma Key to Mexican states

9.

10. II. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

L 14

Baja California Baja California Sur Sonora

Chihuahua Coahuila Sinaloa Durango Nuevo Leon

Tamaulipas

18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 3 1. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 39.

Zacatecas Nayarit San Luis PotOSI Aguascalientes Jali sco

Guanajuato Queretaro Hidalgo Vemcruz

Colima Michoadn

M6xico Tlaxcala Pucbla Morclos Guerrero

Oaxaca Chiapas Tabasco Yucatan Quintana Roo

Geography and Distribution As well as the more obvious tall , columnar cacti , Feroc(lctlls species throughout the ir di stribution in the southern Uni ted States and in Mexico are often among the most prominent cacti in the wild, and are often indicalOrs of a kindly cactu s habitat, where mher, smalle r ge ne ra might be found. They are mostly found in roc ky terrain, although some do occur al so on the flaL. They are in general not high

alt itude plants, seeming to prefer the lower slopes,

USA

--------

ARIZONA: F. cylindracew; (60-6oom), F. cylil/droceus subsp. eostwoodiae (390-1 , 140m), F. cylindraceus subsp. fecol/tei (300- 1,500m) , F emoryi, F. wislizelli CALIFORNIA : F. cylilldraceus (60-600m), F. cylilu/racelis subsp . lecolltei (300- I ,500m), F. viridescells NEVADA: F. cylilldracells subsp. lecolllei (300- I,500m)

rather than upper reaches of the mountains w here they

occu r, although some are found at quite high altitudes. oftcn as out liers of more abundant occurre nce at lower leve ls. Alfred Lall 's highest recorded altitude for any species is 2, 1OOm - F. piloslIs in Coahuila, closely follow ed by F. alamOSQI111S subs p. reppenhagenii, at 1,500 to 2,OOOm, most other species recorded at altitudes fro m sea level to abou t I,OOOm. Werner Reppenhagen records F. /atispinlls at up to 2,5OOm in Hidalgo and F. recurvus in Pue bla at the same a ltitude. F /atispilltls occu rs also at 2,3OOm in San Lui s Potosf and in Mexico D.E, and at 2,400m in Guanajuato, the same species and F. histrix at up to 2,100m in Queretaro, F. histrix and F. echidlle and F. glallcescens in Hidal go at 1,500 to 1,900m ; also F. histrix in Zacatecas at nearly 2,OOOm. He also records F. robust/IS al2, Ioom in Puebla , F.J1avovirens in Puebla at 1,900m. F. recllrvlls in Oaxaca at 1,600m, F. alamosan lls s ubsp. reppenhagenii al 2,OOOm 10 2,300m in Michoacan and in Co lima at 1,200m, F. piiostls in Durango at 1,700m, and F. macrodiscus at 2,300111 in Oaxaca. Most o the r species occur from almost sea- level to about 1,500m. The maps accompany ing each taxon in the chapter 'Species commentary ' are based on reliable reported locali ties ror these plants and the authors' own observatio ns. They give an approx imate idea of the spread of each taxon, a nd arc by no means precise . (Altitudes arc those li sted by Alfred Lall and Werner Rc ppe nhagen, and recorded by Ni gel Taylor)

NEW MEXICO: F. hamlltllcllntlws, F. wislizelli T EXAS : F. hamatacallthllS, F. hamatacallthus subsp. Sif/llalllS, F. wisJizelli UTAH: F. cylilu/racells subsp. /ecolltei

MEXICO AGUASCALIENTES: F. histrix (2, 100m), F. /mispitws BAJA CALIFORNIA and BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR mainland: f: chrysac{lfItlllls subsp . grandij10rtls ( 1200m), F. cylilldraceus (3 00m) , F. cylil/draceus s ubs p. tortlifispilll/S (600111). F. emoryi su bs p. rectispillllS ( 1- 1,600m), F. fordii ( 1-50m), F. fordii subsp. borealis ( I- 100m) F. gracili.5 (20300m), F. gracilis subsp. c%mttls ( IO- IOOm), F. pel/insulae (I 00-400m), F. pel/insulae subsp. sall1amario ( 1- 10m), F. peniflst/ fo e subsp. townsel/dial/lis ( IOO-450m), F. viridescens (10-400m), F. viridescens subsp . littoralis (800- I ,OOOm ) BAJA C ALIFORNIA is lands: F. chrysacallflllls ( 1-500m), F. chrysacallfllfls s ubs p. grandij10rlls (I-200m ), F. diguetii ( 10-30001), F. fordii (I -10m), F. gracilis subsp. gatesii ( I- 150m). F. jO/lllstonianlls ( I-300m), F. pen insulae s ubsp. towmelldialllls, F. wislizelli sllbsp. tibllronef1Sis (10-200m) CAM PECHE: none recorded CH1APAS: none recorded CHIHUAHUA: F. alamosallllS, F. hamarac{lfllhus (l ,500m), F. poftsii (I, 150-1.200m), F. wislizelli ( 1,000- 1,750m)

15

Roo: none recorded

QUINTANA COAIIIJlLA: F. hamatacanthus (650-1 ,900m), F. hamatacanthus subsp. sinuatus, F. pilosus (1,250-2,lOOm)

F. alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii (1,200-

COLIMA:

2,OOOm) F. hamatacanthus (I,650m), F. histrix, F.latispinus. F. pilosus (I,700m), F pottsii. F. wislizeni subsp. herrerae (to J,400m)

DURANGO:

F. echidne, F. histrix (2,OOO-2,300m), F. latispinus (I ,800-2,400m), F. macrodiscus subsp. septentrionalis (2,OOO-2,350m) GUANAJUATO:

GUERRERO:

none recorded

F. echidne (1,300-1,700m), f: glaucescens (I,450-2,300m), F. histrix (l,500-2,OOOm), F. latispinus (J,500-2,500m)

SAN LUIS Parosi: F. echidne (l,IOO-l,600m), F. glaucescens (1,600m), F. hamatacanthus (I,550-2,OOOm), F. hamatacanthus. F. histrix (l,SSO-2,300m), F. latispinus (l,550-2,300m), F. macrodiscus subsp. septentrionalis, F. pilosus (1,200-2, I OOm)

F. alamosanus, F. emory; (1-900m), F. pottsii, F. schwarzii (30-300m), F. wislizeni, F. wislizeni subsp. herrerae (30-200m) SINALOA:

SONORA: F. alamosanus (350-1 ,300m), F. cylindraceus (I-200m), F. cylindraceus subsp. Jecontei, F. emoryi (S-300m), F. pot/sii (I,800m), F. wislizeni (40-IOOm), F. wislizeni subsp. herrerae (I 0-650m)

HIDALGO:

JALISCO:

F. histrix (2, 100m), F. latispinus

MEXICO: F.

TABASCO: nonc recorded TAMAULIPAS: F. echidne (500-2,OOOm), F. hamatacanthus (I,300m), F. hamatacanthus subsp. sinuatus (1,200-1 ,300m), F. pilosas

latispinus TLAXCALA:

none recorded

VERACRUZ:

F. haematacanthus (2,OOOm)

MEXICO DF: F. latlspinas (2,300-2,4S0m) MIC'HOACAN: F alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii (2,OOO~2,300m), F latijpinus, F. lindsayi (250-300m) MORELOS: F. NAYARIT:

latispinus

none recorded

LEON: F. echidne, F. hamatacanthus (SO1,450m), F. hamatacanthus subsp. sinuatus (350384m), F. pi/osas (1,300-1 ,900m)

NUEVO

OAXACA: F. alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii (l,500m), F. flavovirens, F. latispinus (1,800m), F. macrodiscus (I,700-2,500m), F. recurvus (5002,440m), F. recun'us subsp. greenwoodii (l,400m), F. robuslUS

F. flavovirens (1,600-1 ,900m), F. haematacanthus (l,750m), F. hamatacanthus (2,300m), F. latispinus, F. macrodiscus subsp macrodiscus (?), F. recurvus (1,100-2,500m), F. robustus (1,500-2,1 OOm)

PUEBLA:

QUERETARO: F. echidne (700-1 ,400m), f: glaucescens (I,OOO-I,800m), F. histrix (l,200-2,2S0m), F. latispinus (l,800-2,100m), F. macrodiscus subsp. septentrionalis

16

YUCATAN:

none recorded

ZACATECAS: F. hamatacanthus (2,150m), F. histrix (l,950-2,2S0m), f: iatispinus (2,2S0-2,300m), F. pi/osus (2,400m)

Checklist of species F alamosanus

p19

F. hamatacanthus subsp. sinuatus

p63

F alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii

p20

F. histrix

p65

F. chrysacanthus

p22

F. johnstonianus

p67

F chrysacanthus subsp. grandiflorus

p24

F. latispinlls

p69

F. cylindraceus

p26

F. lindsayi

p72

F. cylindraceus subsp. eastwoodiae

p30

F. macrodiscus

p75

F. cylindraceus subsp. Lecontei

p32

F. macrodisClis subsp. septentrionalis

p77

F. cyfindraceus subsp. tortulispinus

p34

F peninsuiae

p78

F. diguctii

p36

F peninsuiae

F echidne

p39

F. pen insulae subsp. townsendiallus

p82

F. emoryi

p41

F pilosus

p84

F. emoryi subsp. rectispinus

p43

F. pottsii

p87

F. jlavovirens

p45

F. recurvus

p89

F. fordi;

p47

F. recurvus subsp. greenwoodii

p90

F fordii subsp. borealis

p49

F. robustus

p92

F glaucescens

p51

F. schwarzii

p94

F gracilis

p53

F. viridescens

p96

F. gracilis subsp. coloratus

p55

F viridescens subsp. littoralis

p98

F. gracilis subsp. gatesii

p57

F. wislizeni

plOO

F. hoematacanthus

p59

F wislizeni subsp. herrerae

pl02

F. hamatacanthus

p62

F wislizeni subsp. tiburonensis

p104

subsp. santa-maria

p81

17

~ecies

commentary.__

The descriptions in this chapter take as their starting point Britton & Rose's major four~volume work, The Cactaceae, published, as far as this genus is concerned in 1922 (volume 3), in which the genus was set up, and 1923 (volume 4) which includes amendments and the description of F jolinsfonianlls. Before this, descriptions and references (mainly as Echinocacllls) were sparse, and these two pioneers of the modern printed word on cacti, gathered together in the 1,000 pages of this incredible production all that had been hitherto published, ably amplified with the benefit of the cactus exploration which had been proceeding apace in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. We have also taken account of Backeberg's monumental 6 volume work (over 4,000 pages) Die Cactaceae, as well as Helia Bravo's 3 volume Las Cactaceas de Mexico , now available to students of these and other Mexican plants, and of course Lindsay's recently published (in 1996) doctoral thesis of 1955. Other sources of information include Benson 's Cacti of the United States and Canada (1982); the Cactus and Succulent Journal of America, published since the early 1930s and including many references and detailed accounts of explorations in the

18

field of these plants; Nigel Taylor's papers on this genus published in Bradleya, the yearbook of the British Cactus & Succulent Society, volume I (with Jonathan Clark), 1983, volume 2, 1984, and volume 5, 1987. We have also referred to the invaluable book by Gottfried Unger on the globular cacti of North America, Die grossen Kugelkakteen Nordamerikas, published in 1992, and embracing Echinocactus as well as Femcactus; this book of nearly 500 pages includes a fund of detail by way of descriptions and references, as well as a considerable contribution from the author's wide-ranging studies in the field. Lastly we have included Ted Anderson's thoughts on the acceptance of taxa, as included in his major work, The Cactus Family; these are based on the deliberations of the International Cactaceae Systematics Group of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study (lOS). Also of interest are the two books by Franziska and Richard Wolf, Baja California und seine Inseln (1999) and Die Ferokakteen der Baja California (2004).

Fig. 4: F emoryi subsp. emoryi staging its stunning flower display during August in the Maricopa Mountains , Arizona, USA

Ferocactus alamosanus This beautiful spec ies (both the type and subsp. reppelJhagellii) grows well in cu ltivation, and flowers when quite small, at abollt 15 to 20cm in diameter, but this could lake 10 to 15 years from seed to achieve as the rate of growth is fairly slow. F. alamosolllts was listed in Taylor's revi sion of 1984 as a variety of F. poltsii, following Unger's reduction in 197 J, but in the latest listing of the CITES Cac/(Iceae Checklist (1999) it is included as a good species, and F. reppenJwgenii is listed as a subspecies hereunder, having previously been so reduced by

Nigel Taylor in 1998. The more southerly occu rring subsp. reppenhagellii bears a marked resemblance to F. alamosa nilS, and its reduction here makes good se nse, ex tending the range of this species considerably.

Ferocactus alamosanus subsp. alamosanus This, the type, is a mllch sma ller growing plant than F. potrsii (w ith which it has previously been coup led), with morc ribs than that species in youth, and it is a much more spiny plant altogether, and with a quite different aspect. It s main feature is the striking, straight, ye ll ow spines sticking out protectively like a sea-urch in, and because of these it is difficult to handle when repouing without damage to the spines or for that maUer yourself. See the advice on reponing these spiny plants in the chapter on cultivation. It wa s described as having a soli tary stem or sometimes clustering, to 30cm or more tall, half to two-thirds as wide, at fi rst with about 13 ribs, later to about 20 narrow, acute ribs. Spination is all yellow, red at the base in youth, radial spines usually about 10, seldom II or only 8 or 9,3 to 4cm long, later to Scm. There is a sing le central spine, porrect or erect, somewhat nattened laterally, to about 6cm long. Flowers are clear lemon yellow, the outer segments green ish-red at the tips. Fruit is bright red. Seed has not been described hithel1o, but we can affirm that it is aboul 1.8mm long, smooth, shiny black.

Fig. 5: F.

alamOS(lIlIlS

subsp.

(lIWnOmlllls,

flowering in

cultivation in the USA Reponed from Ihe Mexican slates of CHIHUAHUA, SONORA, SINALOA; spec ifically from SONORA, high up in the Alamos Mountains, Cieneg ita, Black Canyon at Guirocoba Ranch , east of Alamos, San Pedro, east of Alamos; from SINALOA, EI Saucito and Pitayitas, on the road from Badirahualo to Hidalgo del Parral, CHIHUAHUA; mostly on high vertical rocks, al 350I,300m altitude. Field colleclion numbers referred here are: holot ype, Rose. Standley & Ru ssell 12850 (US 535974); Lindsay without no. (OS); Lau 80, 1202; Reppenhagen 564, 21 09a, 21 12a. Synonyms: Echinocaclus alamosoflus, F pow'ii var. alamosafills

Section Bisnaga; F glaucescens Group

19

References:

FerocacIlis afamosanus (Britton and Rose) Britton & Rose, The Caet. 3: 137Jig.145 (1922); I.e., COn/rib. US. Nat. Herb. 16:23,pi.66 (1913) - as Echillocactus; Unget; Kakt.ll.a.Sllkk. 22(10):187 (1971) - as F: pottsii I'ar. alamosanllS; G. Lyons, Cael. Suee. 1. (US) 40(4): 138·139,jigs. 1,2 (1968); N. P. Taylor, Bradleyo 2:36 (1984) - as F pOllsii var. alalllosmllls; Unger, Die grosse" Kligelkakt. Norc/amer. 254 (1992) - as F. pottsii var. alamosanus; Lindsay, Ferocaclus 123126, 139, 438 (1996) (1955 thesi.', unpublished at the time); Taylor in Hunt (ed.), Cae!. Consensll s Initiatives 6:15 (1998); HUllt (ed.), CITES Cael. Checklist 204 (1999); E. F Anc/erson, The Cactus Family 327 (2001)

Ferocactus alamosa nus subsp. reppenhagenii As already mentioned, th e similarit y between thi s and the type is marked, and Taylor's recent amalgamation of the two forme rly separate species is irrefutable; we just wish we had thought of it first. This subspecies has been said to bear a superfic ial resemblance to Eehinocaclus grltsoll;;, with the central spines pointing upwards instead of downwards , but few e nthu siasts for FerocacfIIs are likely to con fu se the two. It will fl ower at onl y about IOcm in diameter in cultivation, and this will immediately distinguish it from E. gruson ii, if there were any doubt, the latter rarely flowering at less than 60cm. The flowers if pollinated are followed by prominent, attractively coloured fruit , bright red when ripe. It is not yet widespread in culti vation, but seed lings have been available for those who seek out things new, and plants in cu lti vation raised from seed are more and more common ly seen. Flowering as it does at a small size its popularity is assured.

It was desc ribed as SOlitary, depressed-globose , columnar in age, to 80cm tall , 9 to 24cm in diameter, with 12 to 18 ribs. There are 7 to 9 radial spines, somet imes only 6 or up to II, II to 40mm long, ye llow late r grey. There is one ce ntra l spine, somewhat curved al the tip, 2Smm 10 SOmm long. yellow, reddish-brown at the basco Flowers are yellow to orange, 23mm long and wide, with yel low stigmas. Fruit is ovoid, bright to dark red , 15 to 22 mm long, 8 to 17mm in diameter, j ui cy. Seed is 2 to 2.3mm long , reddi sh-brown to black, matt, very smooth. 20

Reported from the Mexi can states of MICHOACAN, COLI MA, and OAXACA, on south-east and sou th-west faci ng slopes; type fro m MICHOACAN, Sabino near Dos Ag uas, south-west of Apatzingan, at 2,300m altitude; also from MICHOACAN, Cerro Laurel, Coaicoman, at 2,OOOm alt itude; from COLIM A, Pueblo Nuevo, Cerro Barrigon, north-west of Ciudad Colima near Rancho Tecwm, at 2,(X)()m; from OAXACA, at Yosundua, at 1,500m alti tude. Field collection numbers referred here are: type, Reppenhagen & Pri ess nit z, without no. (2SS); Lau 765, 1412; Rep. 662, 664, 670a, 720d, 746a. Sy nonym: F reppenhagen ii Section Bisnaga F. glaucescens Group References:

Ferocactus alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii (G. Unger) N. P. TaylOf; Caet. Cons. Inil. 6:16 (1998); G. Unger, Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 25(3):50·54, (1974); S6l1chez· Mejorad(l, Coct. Sue. Mex. 25(3):66 (1980); N. P. Taylor. Bradleya 2:23 (1984); Unger, Die grossell Kllgelkakt. Norc/alller. 407 (1992); Lindsay, Feroeactus 110, 325, 441 (1996) (1955 thesis, IIfIpublished al the lime); Unger, Kakl. u. a. Sllkk. 50( /!): (207) Karl. 1999119 (1999); £. F: Alldersoll, The Cactas Family 327 (2001)

Fig. 6: F aiamosantlS subsp. reppellhagenii in cultivation in the UK, nowering at about 15cm dia.

Fig. 7 (opposite page): F. alamos(llIus subsp reppenlwgellii in Michoacan , Mexico

21

Ferocactus chrysacanthus - In the CITES Cacraceae Checklist (1999) Nigel Taylor took the bull by the horns and placed the controversial F. fordii var. grandiflorus under this species as a subspecies, which in view of its completely different habit from F.Jordii, principally its much larger growth and orange flowers, also close proximity to F. chrysacanrhlls (albeit with some sea between them), makes good sense. Unger in his book was of the opinion that it was a hybrid between F. fordii and F. chrysacanrhlls, but in a piece on this species in the German Society's journal (February 2000) he noticeably has dropped the 'X', giving it species slatus. We were a little discomfited by photographs in the Wolfs' book showing plants on Isla Natividad, midway between the occurrence of subsp. grandiflorus on the mainland of Baja California and Isla Cedros (the locality of subsp. chrysacanthus) showing distinctly purple flowers, not as Lindsay reported from this island as "red or orange". The Wolfs captioned these as F x grandijlorus, but our feeling was that they seemed to owe more to F.fordii; this seems 10 be backed up by Unger, who repotts F fordii from Isla Natividad. In their 2004 book the Wolfs captioned these plants as F. fordii confirming our opinion. We are content to go along with Taylor's classification as a subspecies, since from a collector's viewpoint these plants are distinctive, and seem to have come

true from seed in cultivation showing no throw-back 10 indicate hybrid origins. There is room for some controlled pollination experiments here to determine the relationships or standing of these taxa, but this would be a very long term project. Comparison of plants from collected seed would perhaps be a little less long term, but neither should be attempted by those whose hair is likely to turn grey within the next 10 years.

Ferocactus chrysacanthus subsp. chrysacanthus The type of Ihis species is a favourite among collectors, with its golden (sometimes reddish) spines thickly entwining round the at first globular, mid-green body. Flowers may be expected on plants only IScm in diameter, at about 10 years old, but it is painfully slow growing. Flower production could take even longer if the plants are not potted on regularly and grown to their full potential. The tlowers are narrow petalled, yellow to orange, and are severely cramped by the dense spination of this species, to the extent of being distorted as they push their way through the heavy armature. Britton & Rose's original description, amplifying Orcutt, was of a globose to cylindric plant, to about 20cm tall "but presumably mueh larger" (the Wolfs illustrate an aged, large, clustering plant in their book), with about 18 dbs, tubercled. Radial spines 4 to many, slender, white. Central spines sometimes as many as 10, Scm long, either red or yellow, curved. Lau reports that the yellow spined plants are found at lower altitudes, plants with either red or yellow spines are found on higher ground. Flowers appearing from near the centre, Scm wide when fully open, inner petals satiny yellow, ouler pinkish-brown. Fruit is yellow, 30mm long, 15tllm wide, thick-walled and dry, with widely spaced small, lunate (crescent shaped) scales. Seed is 1.S to 2mm long, I.Smm wide, matt black. Fig. 9 (opposite page):

Fig. 8: F chrysacanthus subsp. chrysacanthus on Isla Cedros, Baja California, Mexico

22

F chrysacal1!hus subsp. clllysacanthus, yellow-spined, in cultivation in the USA

23

Taylor added to thi s somewhat and described the species as solitary, rarely clustering, to 1m lall, 30cm in di ameter, wilh about 21 ribs, tubercu late; 22 or more spines, about 10 of which are central , curved and twisted, to about Scm long, ye ll ow, rarely red, grey at highe r, moister localities. Flowers (appearing in June in the wild) are 4Smm long, 40mm wide, yellow or orange, the petals with red mid stripes, stigm as pink. Fru it is oblong-cylindric, ye llOW, 30111111 long, lSmm in diameter. Seed is to 2.5 mm long, black. Sonia Barker-Fricker observed that the percentage of red-sp ined plants was very low: 95 per cent of plants in an area of about 100 square metres were yell ow spined, I per cent were red, and 4 per cent reddish ye ll ow. She added that , except for possibly damaged plants, all were sol itary, mature plants mostJ y abou t 15 to 30cm in diameter and to 45clll tall, and plants as small as 10 or 12cm showed ev idence of flow ering. Reported from Mexico, off northern B AJA CALIFORN IA on Isla Cedros and nearby San Beni to islands among coastal scrub near sea level, to SOOm altitude amo ng pines; specifically from Cedros (t he neotype) in an arroyo (dry riverbed) behind a village at the soulh-easl side of the island. Field co llection numbers referred here arc: neoty pe, Lindsay 559 (DS) ; Rose 16091 (US); J. W. Tou rney without no. (US); Rempel 33 1 (A HFH); Lau 0 10. Synonym: Echinocacflls ehrysacanthlls Section Ferocactus F. robustus Group

Fig. II; Red-spined F. Chl )'SaCallIlllIs subsp.

chrysacamlllIs in rod.")' ground on Isla Cedros References:

Ferocaetus ehrysacantl!us (OrclItt) Brilloll & Rose, The Cact. 3:127 (1922); Otwtt, Rev. Caet. 1:56 ( 1899); G. Lilldsay Cact. Sue. Mex. 10(3):79,82, fig.53 (1965); Unger, Die g rossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. 206 (1992): S. Barker- Fricker, Th e Cactus File 2(9):/1,15 lVith col. fig. (1996); Lilldsay, Femeaell/s 237, 253,256, 424 (1996) (J955 thesis, ul1published af the time); Cora, Caet. SLICC. J. (US) 62(6):294,295 (1990); Unger, Kakt.u.a.Sukk. 51(2): (30) Kart. 2000/03 (2000); HI/Ilt (ed.), CITES Caet. Checklist 204 ( 1999); F & R. Woif, Baja California u. s.lnseln 216-231 (/999); E. F Anderson, Th e Cae/lls Family 327 (200 I)

Ferocactus chrysacanthus subsp. grandiflorus Lindsay 's original description of thi s taxon (as F fordii var. grandij1orus) was brief and me re ly differentiated it from F. fordi; in it s habit and flowers, the "plants 10 almost in exceptional I m tall spec ime ns: flowers red or orange rather than purple, to 6cm long, with linear-Ian ceo lale inner perianth segments to 4cm long and only 4 to 5mm wide." Some difference !

Fig. 10; F. clirysacollflllls subsp. chrYMIC(mthus, red-spined. in cultivation in the UK, flowerin g at "bout 15cm diu .

24

It is rarely seen in cultivati on, but seed has been offered from time to time, and now that it s position seems 10 have been settled it may be more sought after by growers, as, like the type, it wi ll produce flowers at a comparatively small size, after it has got to about 15 or 20clll in diamet er.

Unger's description along with excellent colour photograph in the German Society's journal is as follows: stem solitary, at most only about 1m tall, and to 25cm in diameter. Spines dense, with up to 7 centrals, the lowest one flattened and hooked, about Scm long and to 5mm wide, the upper central sp ine straight, dagger shaped, porrect and the longest, 5.5cm, the other five spines to 4cm; there are 18 to 21 radial spines, 2.5 to 4cm long, most whitish, bristle-like, the lower 3 to 5 stronger and thick. All the thicker spines at first orange-red, brownish-yellow, later dark brownish -red. Flowers produced in spring (February to April), yellow with red midstripe, 6cm long, 7cm wide, anthers red, (stigma yellow in photograph). Fruit is greenish-red to yellowish-orange, 17 to 20mm in diameter. Seed is brown to black, 2 to 3mm long, 1.5 to 1.7mm wide. Reponed from Mexico, BAJA CALIFORNIA, San Bartolome Bay (the type), the west coast of the peninsula from Punta Eugenia to below Punta Abreojos and Isla Natividad; more recently by Unger from Bahia Tortuga (according to Unger practically identical to San Bartolome Bay) and the hills to the south-east of the bay (this is the area nearest on the mainland to Isla Cedros); at I-200m altitude. Paul Hoxey photographed plants more or less in the centre of this distribution, near the coast between San Hipolito and Bahia Asuncion. Field collection numbers referred he re are: holotype Lindsay 556 as F. fordii var. grand(f1orus) (DS), isotypes (MEXU, SO); Lindsay 559 (OS); Lindsay 555 from San Roque Point (OS, SO); Rose 16188 (US); Rose 16249 (US); Dawson 6444 (AHFH); Lau 1410. Synonyms: F fordii var. grandiflorus; F. grandiflorus; F. x grandiflorus References:

Ferocactus chrysacanrhw; subsp. grandiflorus (G. Lindsay) N. P Taylor, Caet. Cons. Init. 6; 16 (1998); G. Lindsay, Caet. Suce. 1. (US) 27(6);164-165, fig.154 (/955) - as F fordii var. grandiflorus; N. P Taylor, Bradleya 2:34 (1984); Unger, Die grossen Kiige1kakt. Nordamer. 242 (/992) - as F. x grandiflorus; Lindsay, Ferocactus 258-260,280 (as F.Jordii vat: grandijlorus) (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time); F & R. Waif, Baja California u. s. {nseln 198-205, 232-239 (1999); Hunt (ed.) CITES Caet. Checklist 204 (1999); Unger, Kakt. fl. a. Sukk. 51(2);(29-30) Kart. 2000/03 (2000) - as F. grandiflorus; E. F. Anderson, The Cactus Family 327 (2001)

Fig. J3: F. chrysacanthus subsp.grandij1orus with a crown of flowers in habitat

25

Ferocactus cylindraceus Seeing this species in habitat for lhe first time is unforgettable, parli cularl y in sOllthern California where there are few columnar cacti: the plants of this species stand out as the most dominant cacti in the land scape, shi nin g with their brilliant red and yellow spines in the sun shine. In culti vat ion plant s will respond well to steady repotting in the first few years, growing strongly, with the poss ibility of flowers once they get to about 20cI11 tall and wide, this laking something like 10 to 15 years. The crowning glory of the flowers on thi s stunningly beautifully sp ined species is well worth the wait and the effort. It has been known for many years as Ferocacf/ls aeanlhodes, and many fanciers of thi s genus clin g on to thi s name, but it has been discredi ted by Nigel Taylo r as not applicable to the commonl y he ld concept of thi s species, the most signifi cant poi nt of his argument to our thinking being that the plant Lemaire described had fmit, thi s on a plant only Il cm high and 15c m broad, and it seems likely that the name as originall y applied was as Tay lor suggests applicable to F. vi ridescel/s.

The spec ies is divided inLO four, possibly five

subspecies, but F. jollllslOllialllls, an island species which Tay lor in his review suggests is "probabl y only a di sjunct, island va ri ety of F. cylindracells" is considered separately herein (see under F. johllstonimms).

As there is often confu sion among Ferocactlls enthusiasts as to which is which of the subspecies occurring in the southern U.S., i. e. s ubsp. cylindracells (the type), subsp. eas/IVoodiae, and subsp. Lecontei, we have included below a tabl e based o n that in which Ly man Benson differentiated them (p.686 of his Cacti o/the United Sl(ltes alld Callada). It must be sa id that the difference between the type and s ubsp. lecontei is particularly difficult to define. and at times they seem 10 overlap in their di stribution as we ll as the ir characters.

Fig. IS (oppo~ile page); A magnificent clump of F. cy/indracells subsp. cylindraceus in the Anza Borrego. California, USA Fig. 14 (below): F. cyliruJraceus subsp. c)'lilldraceus in the Anza Borrego, California. USA

~~~~~~~

26

27

Distinctive spine characters (according to Benson 1982) of the three subspecies of F. cylindraceus occurring in the US are: subsp. cylilldraceus

subsp. easllvoodiae

Spine principal (lower) central

7 .5-I4cm long, curving at the lip to about 900. but nOI recurved. red [occasionally yellow I becoming grey

7.5-S. lcm long, curving slightly. conspicuously yellow or straw yellow

5-7cm long. curving slightly, red (occasionally yellow), becoming grey

Inner radial spines (similar to central s)

6-S, 1-1.5mm diameter

12-14. 5mm diameter nearly straight. rigid

6-8, 1-I.Smm diameter

Outer radial spines

Nearly white, flexible, curving irregularly in and out, 3.8-6.2cm long,

None present

Nearly white, l1exible, curving irregularly in and out. Scm long, O.Smm diameter

Ferocactus cylindraceus subsp. cylmdraceus This was the first Ferocactlls we saw in habitat in the Anza Borrego Desert in 1981, where we were taken by a kindly local cactu s en thu siast. Our combined weight (there were six of us in his car) threatened to short en his accustomed drivable distance into the desert floor. With a total disregard for his sump doing its best to break up the rocks in the dirt track, we got well among the cacti before he gave up and we opcncd thc ovcn like doors of the airconditioned car to step into the heat. The first day in wild desert for any cactus fan is a memorable experience, but for our first day in that desert with our eyes feasting on this, the type of F. cylindraceus, as well as less obv iou s ge ms like Mammillaria telrancisrra, it was one never 10 be forgotten. The Ferocactlls stood like Rumpelsliltskin, inviting our guesses at its name. Little did we realize as we confidently referred to it as F. (lcant/wdes, that like the fairy tale we would later accept that we were not right in thi s assumption. This, the type, predominantly from California, but also found in Arizona and northern Baja California, was described by Nigel Taylor in his review of the genus (lying close to Benson's description), as solitary, rarely branching or only when damaged, eventually cylindric or somewhat barrel-shaped [traditional wooden barrel s it is assumed, in these days of cylindrical metal barrels], 10 3m tall, to 30cm or occasionally up to 40cm in diameter, with 18 to 30 ribs, tuberculate. Spination extremely variable in size, colour and form: with about 15 to 25 radial spines, from tine and hair-like, to stout and intergrad ing with

28

subsp. lecolliei

the central spines; the 4 to 7 central spines round in section or with two or more flattened. straight, curved or twisted, the lowermost the longest , to 170mm, often curved, so metimes hooked at the tip, yellow or red, or both ye llow and red. Flowers (appearing in spring in the wild) are green or yellow. sometimes tinged with red. Fruit is 30 to 40mm long, 1.5 to 2cm in diameter, yellow. Seed is dark brown, 2 to 3mm long. Reported from USA and Mexico, specifically from USA, CALIFORNIA: San Diego County: San Felipe, eastern slopes of California Mountains, from between Julian and the Borrego Valley, Sentenac Canyon, Agua Caliente; Imperial County: Mountain Springs, US highway 80; Riverside County: Kcys Ranch, edge of the Colorado desert. Cottonwood Spring, Indio, Chuchawalla Springs; San Bernadino County: Barstow, Needles, Cedar Canyon, New York Mountains; from ARIZONA: Yuma county: Tyson, Petrified Forest, Yuma, Hidden Valley, Indian Cove, Joshua Tree National Monument ; from Mexico, northern BAJA CALIFORNIA, cast of Sierra Juarez; nOl1h-west SONORA; Colorado desert; at 60 to 600111 altitude.

Fig. 16: F cylilldm('eus subsp. cylilldraceus close-up in flower, varying from yellow to green

Fig. 17: F. cylindraceus subsp. cylindraceus, a basketwork

cylindraceu.~ subsp. cylindraceus, a young plant w1th flowers pushing through the spines

Fig. 18: F..

of tortuous, entangled spines

Field co llection numbers referred here are: type, Parry ( 1849 or 1850) as Eeililiocacilis virideseel/s (vac) ey/i"draeells, wi thout no. (Mo); Rose 12052, 12064

(US): Lindsay 2063, (OS, SO): Wolf 8491 (OS, RSA); Pari sh [63 (Mo); Dubber, Harbison & Higgin s 44. 131

(SO); Gander 5299, (SO); Benson 10365, 4235 (POM); Munz & Johnston 529 1 (OS): Parish 163 (OS); Evermann without no. (CAS); Hall 6013 (UC); Wiggins 8748, 8760 (OS); Rost 327 as F. roslii (US 2296912); Lau 125 1; Rep. 200, 207,,; OJF 1354, 1355; SB 1906; JS 54, 82. Sy nony ms: EehinoeaelUs aeanrhodes, E. cylindraceus, E. hertrichii, £. virideseens rvar.] ey/indraeeus, F. acallthodes (wrongly applied), F. QCOllfJlOdes var. rostii, F. rostii

References:

Ferocactus eylindraeeus (Engelmann) OrCIIII, Cactograplly 5 (1926); Engelmanll, Amer. 1. Sci. ser.2, 14:338 (1852) - as Echinocactus viridescells cylilldraceus; I.e., SYIl . Caer. US. 19 (1856) - as E. cylilldraceus; I.c., Cact. Mex. Bound. pl.30 (1859); BrillOIl & Rose, The Caci. 3: 129,jigs. 134-137, pU5 (1922) - as F acalllllOdes; N. P. Taylor, Caer. Suce. J. (GB) 41(4): 91 (1979); Bellson, Cacti US & Canada 686 et seq., jigs. 719-722, col. pl. 118 (1982); Unger, Die grossen Kugelkakt. Nordamer. J14 (1992) . as F. acanlhodes; Lindsay, Felvcaetus 281-308, 387, 421 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time) . as F. acal/rhodes; £. F. Anderson, The Cactlls Family 327·8 (2001)

Sec tion ferocactus F. robustus Group

29

Ferocactus cylindraceus subsp. eastwoodiae This subspec ies is distinct in having yellow, stiff, more or less straight spines, not the den se. flattened, twisted spination of the type and subsp. tortulispillllS; it also lacks the thinner, suppl ementary radial spines of all other subspecies. Th is last difference from the type and ot her subspecies is the most signifi can t, and immediately iden tifies plants observed in the field or in cu lti vation. It has given the lie to some plants idefllifi ed as this subspecies from Cal iforn ia, where it is not known to occur. The yellow spination is most attractive and makes growing it in cultivation a joy; it will take about 15 years or more to grow to flowering size, at abou t 25cm tall, and 20cm wide. Taylor len it in lim bo in the 1999 CITES Cactaceae Checklist, i.e. as provisionally accepted with the impli catio n that it might resolve under this species either as a synonym or subspecies, bU I in 2002 he amalgamated it here as a subspecies. Anderson (200 I) follows suit and li sts it as a species, adding that it " is close ly related to F. cylilldraceus". From Benson's detailed localiti es il is clear that it occurs only locally in 2 or 3 places (usually on cliffs) in the

eastern part of the range of thi s species, with an isolated occurrence in the south of the distribution. In view of its indi vidua l appearance, spine differences and localized occurrence we are happy to recognize it as a subspec ies here as it is a worth while collector's plant. Benson's description is of a plant with 12 to 14, uniformly sto ut, stiff, radial spines 44 to 56mm long, similar to the central spines and lacki ng the thinner, outer radial spines of other subspecies, and with 4 stronger central spi nes in cnlcifix formatio n, the lowermost central sp ine 75rnm to 80mm, 2.5mm broad, like the others, sligh tl y curved, stiff and bright ye llow. Fruit is ye ll ow. Seed is 2mm long, only Slightl y longer than broad, shiny dark brown to black. Plants pictured by Benson on cliffs look to be a metre to a metre and a hal f ta ll , and about 40 to 50cm in diameter. Reported from the Sonora Desert. From USA, ARIZONA, ncar Superior, Pinal Cou nty, mountains above Qu een Creek, 975m altitude, between Camp Verde and Strawberry, in east Yavapai Co unty; in the west of Pima County, near Bates Well, Grow ler Mountains; the south-east of Pinal County, and the Fig. 19: F. cyfindracells subsp. eastwoodiae with characteristic neal rows of slightly curved, yellow central spines

~~~~~~~~

30

R eferences:

Ferocactus cylindraceus subsp. eastwoodiae (BenSOil ) N. P 'l{rylor, Cactaceae Systematics Initiatives 14:16 (2002); L. Bellsoll, Cacti of Arizolla ed.3 23 (1969); Cacti US & COllado 692, figs. 726, 727, col.pl. 1I9,121

(1982); slIppl. 969 (1982) - as F. eastwoodiae; N. ~ Taylo r, Bradleya 2:33 (1984); Lindsay, Ferocactus 290-293 (1996) (1955 thesis, /II/publish ed at the time); H"IIt (ed.), CITES Cae/. Checklist 204 (1999); E. F. Andersoll, The CaCl/IS Family 328 (2001) - as F. eastwoodiae

Fig. 20: F. cylilldracells subsp. eastwoodiae in cult ivation in the UK, flowering at about 20cm dia.

sou th-west of Gila Coun ty, near Winkelm ann, Globe;

at 390- 1, 140m altitude. Field col lection numbers referred here are: the type L. Benson 166 18 (POM 3 1 1.3 12); L. Ben son 9895 (POM , Ariz. , CAS); Eastwood 17479 (CAS); I. G. Reimann (POM); SB 1836. Synonyms: F. acat/thodes var. eastwoodiae, F. cylindraceus var. eastwoodiae, F. eastwoodiae

Fig. 21 : F. cylilldracells subsp. easrll'oodiae

enjoy ing life in the Superstition Mountai ns, Arizona, USA

31

Ferocactus cylindraceus subsp. lecontei This subspecies is more slender than the type, with spines at first yellowish or red and yellow, less flattened and not twisted like the type; Benson pictures a plant in the Mojave desert in Yavapai County, Arizona, about 2m tall and half a metre wide. The description by Benson differentiated Ihis subspecies as follows: a longest central spine 5 to 7cm long (7.5 to 14cm in the type), the apex curving a little, at maturity red [but yeJlow spined [onns have been reported] becoming grey, the inner radials 6 to 8, similar to the centrals 3 to Scm long, the outcr 6 to 12 thinner, flexible, irregularly curving in and out, nearly white. Fruit is yellow. Seed is black, to 2mm long. On a visit to the southern stales of the USA we saw some outstanding plants of this subspecies on a trip out north-west of Phoenix, Arizona, where we had taken my cactus-innocent elder son (who was on a business trip) to show him what he was missing by staying during most of his spare time by the hotel

32

swimming pool admiring the female scenery. To his amazement and consternation for things proper, he watched as we slid beneath a wire fence in order to photograph wonderfully spined plants of this subspecies growing in rocky outcrops. They were about 70 or 80cm tall, and a third of their height in diameter; the glowing red spination was outstanding in its vivid colouring; flowers were distinctly yellow, with a red midstripe. Reported from the USA and Mexico, in the Mojave, Sonora and Colorado deserts at 300 to l500m altitude. From the USA, ARIZONA except the north-east, specifically Pinal County; Bill Williams Fork of Colorado River; south CALIFORNIA; south NEVADA; south-west UTAH; from Mexico, north SONORA, Sonoita; at300-1,500m altitude. Benson's plotting of reported occurrences in the wild (page 687 of his major work) shows a generally more easterly preference for this subspecies, mainly in central Arizona, but meeting with the type in eastern California and in its eastern and southern extremities with subsp. easfwoodiae, which adds to the doubts about these subspecies' taxanomic separation.

lecontei in habitat at

Fig. 23: F. c)'lilldraceas subsp. iecolltei in Clark Mountains. Cali fornia, near the Nevada border

Field colleclion numbers referred here are: leclOIYpe, Bige low (Mo); Mun z & Everett 17454 (RS A); Wiggins 8269, 8358 (DS); G. A. Wilcox without number (US); SB 5 17. Synonyms: Echillocactus /ecolllei, F. aconthodes var. lecomei, F. cyJindraceus var. fecol/tei, F. hertricilii, F. lecolltei. F. x lecol/tei References:

Ferocactus cylilldracells s//bsp. leCOl/lei (Engeimallll) N. P. Toy/or. Cacl. COliS. Illit. 6:16 (/998); Engelmalln, 5)'1/. Cact. Us. 18 ( / 856); Proc. Amer. Aco(/. 3:274 ( 1856); H. Brm'o- Hollis, Cacr. Suc. Mex. 25(3):65 (1980); CllCI. Mex. BOlllld. 1.27 (1859); Britton & Rose. The Cactaceae 3: 129 (1922); G. Lilldsay, CllCI. Slice. 1. (US) 27(6): 169 (1955); L Bel/SOil, Native Cacri of California 198, pl./5.3 & 4 (1969) ; Cocli of AriZOl/o ed. 3 (4 1h printing, 198/) 165-/66, jig.5.2 ( 1969); Caeli US & Clllllld1l687-692, figs. 723-725, col.pl. 117,120 (1982); Ullger, Die grossell Kugefkakt. Nordomer. 225-237 (1992) - as F. X fecontei; Lindsay. Feroc(u:tus 286-289, 293, 306308 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time); E. F. Andersol/. The Cactus Family 327-8 (2001) Fig. 25: F. c)'lilldmceas subsp. lecollfe; flowering in the Providence Mountains. California, USA

33

Ferocactus cylindraceus subsp. tortulispinus Although much less tall than other subspecies this is perhaps the most spectacu lar of them all, with long, tortuous, deep red central spines. With little accompanying vegetation of any size they stand out on the hillsides, particularly after a shower of rain, which lights up the red colouring dramatically.

It was described by Gates (as a new species) as solitary, globose to subcylindric, to about 60cm tall , 40cm in diameter, with 20 ribs. Radial spines 3 or 4 on each side of the areolc, 6 to 8 in all, needle-like, spreading greyish-white. Central spines II , stiff, slender, very diverse, ringed, spreading or appressed, dull greyish red with yellow tips , all straight and sharp, except the lower middle one, this slender, elongated to 13cm, more or less hooked and generally pronouncedly LOrtulose. The flowers, fruit and seed were not observed; collected seed is 2mm long, shiny black. Significantly Gates said that in form and size this species "resembles F. acanthodes [i.e. F. cyJindraceus] more than any other of the Lower

34

Californian Ferocacti". Taylor describes it as differing from the type mainly in its geography, but also in its shorter stem, commonly not more than 70cm, but exceptionall y to 2m tall, spines orange-red, or reddish-grey where it grows near to F. gracilis, flowers slightly smaller, clear yellow. Plants seen by the authors included one large, apparently naturally clustering plant, nearly a metre tall, but in general plants of this variety were smaller than other subspecies, often globular, and producing tlowers when only about 25cm tall and wide. We found them in only one location on our various trips to Baja California, growing in a small canyon, outstandingly different from other Ferocactus species we had been seeing, with their splendidly tortuous, red spination and bright yellow flowers. The fruit is yellow. Reported from Mexico, northern BAJA CALIFORNIA, 16km north of Laguna Chapala Seca, 290 39' N, 1140 40' W; canyon south of Mision Calamajue, between El Crucero and Cerro Juan, east to Calamajue and Las Arrastras de Arriola, east margin of Viscaino Desert; at 600m altitude. Fig. 26: F cylindraceus subsp. tortulispillus, south of Catavifia, Baja California, Mexico

Fig. 27: F. cylilldraceus subsp. lorlllfispil/lIs, with flowers having a hard time to emerge

Fig. 28: F. cylindracells subsp. tortll/ispinus, living up to its name with a tangled mass of tortuous spines

Field colleclion numbers referred here are: the type H. E. Gales 161 (OS 207825); Lindsay 2064 (OS, SO); Lau 1217 ; Rep. 269. Synonyms: F. acalllJlOdes subsp./var. torllllispillus, F. cylilldraceus var. /ortulispinus, F. torlulospinus, F. acanthodes var. rortlllospilJl/S References: FerocacllIs

cylindraeells

subsp.

lorlulispillllS

(H. Gores) N. P. Taylor, Cael. COilS. Illil. 6: 16 (1998); H. Gates, Caet. Suee. 1. (US) 4(9):343, with fig.

(1933); H. Bral'o-Ho//is, Caet. SlIe. Mex. 25(3):65 (1980); G. Lindsay, Caet. Suee. J. (US) 27(6): 168-169 (/955); Lindsay, FerocaCfl/S 285-286, 293, 303-305, 422 (1996) (1955 thesis, unpublished at the time); N. P. TaylOl; Bradleya 2:33-4 (1984); E. F. Anderson, Tlte Caetlls Family 327-8 (200 I)

Fig. 29: F. cylindracells subsp. IOrwlispinlls, spaced out red-coated sentries surviving a drought year

35

Ferocactus

d~guetii

The largest growing of all Ferocacllls, this is one species that any enthusiast for the genus would want to see in habitat; and Derek braved the Gulf of California in a fi sh ing boat 10 do just that as a millennium celebration when he found himself with the chance to do so. To stand alongside a Ferocae/us that towers above you at least twice your height is an awe.inspiring experience.

It grows on several islands in the Gulf of California, and is of course difficult to get to, requiring the cooperation of a friendly local fisherman will ing to take you in his boat to one of the islands, and, more important ly, to either wait or pick you up again later. In cultivat ion it is slow growing, and seedlings grown in the UK for some 15 years or so have achieved only 20cm or so in height, and the same in width. It has dist inctivc pa le spines and 11 pale green body co lour, reminiscent of F potlsii, which is in the same group. Smaller growing plants found on Isla Carmen, named Fig. 30 (below): The !lowering head of a massive F. diguetii on Isla Santa Catalina. Gulf of California, Mexico

as va r. carmellellsis by Lind say in 1955, are not recognized as a separate subspecies, si nce that is all they seem to be - smaller growing. It was desc ribed by Britton and Rose, amplifying Weber's description, as usually I to 2m tall , but sometimes up to 4m (on Isla Santa Catalina; see photographs here, and on page 167, fig.156 in the 1955 US journal, and the recent books by Franziska and Richard Wolf, who add a half metre to the height - 80 years' growth!), 60 to 80cm or more in diameter, with numerous, rather thin ribs, sometimes as many as 39. Radial spines 610 8, yellow, subulate, 30 to 40mm long, slightly curved and a little spreading, No central sp ines are mentioned, but were observed on somc young plants in the wi ld, Flowers are red with yellow margins, 30 to 35mm long, stigmas yellow. Taylor's description in his review is of soliLary stem s, to 4m tall, 60 10 80c m in d iameter, with 25 to 35 ribs or more, sinuate in age; spines 4 to 8 (to 10 in you th), yellow or reddish· brown, sl ightly curved, spreading, to 5cm long; flowers red with yellow margins, 30 to 40mm long and wide, stig mas yellow; fruit was not described, except as dry, but from personal observation it is lemon yellow, with lunate (crescent shaped) sca les. Seed is glossy brown, 1.5 to 2mm long. Reported from Mexico, BAJA CALIFORNIA, in the Gulf of Cali fornia on Isla Santa Catalina, Isla Carmen, Isla Monserrate, Isla Dansante, Isla San Diego, Isla Cerralvo, Isla Angel de 1