Ferocactus hamatacanthus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ferocactus hamatacanthus
Scientific classification
Synonyms
List Brittonia davisii Houghton & C.A.Armstr. Echinocactus flexispinus Engelm. Echinocactus gerardii F.A.C.Weber Echinocactus haematochroanthus Hemsl. Echinocactus hamatacanthus Muehlenpf. Echinocactus hamatacanthus var. brevispinus (Engelm.) J.M.Coult. Echinocactus hamatacanthus var. longihamatus (Galeotti ex Pfeiff.) J.M.Coult. Echinocactus longihamatus var. brevispinus Engelm. Echinocactus longihamatus f. brevispinus (Engelm.) Schelle Echinocactus longihamatus var. crassispinus Engelm. Echinocactus longihamatus gracilispinus Engelm. Echinocactus sinuatus A.Dietr. Echinocactus uncinatus Engelm. ex Scheer Ferocactus hamatacanthus var. crassispinus (Engelm.) L.D.Benson Hamatocactus hamatacanthus (Muehlenpf.) F.M.Knuth Hamatocactus hamatacanthus var. davisii (Houghton & C.A.Armstr.) W.T.Marshall

Ferocactus hamatacanthus, commonly named Turk's Head, is a barrel cactus in the family Cacteae.

Distribution

Ferocactus hamatacanthus is widespread in the Chihuahuan Desert of north-western Mexico, New Mexico, and south-western Texas. The Ferocactus hamatacanthus Type Locality was found in Mexico.

Description

Ferocactus hamatacanthus forms to be solitary, usually a globular to oblong shape, and grows up to 60 centimetres (24 in). This plant contains 13 ribs normally, but can sometimes be around 17. These ribs of the cactus are strongly tubercled and are generally 2 centimetres (0.79 in) to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) high. Its aeroles are large and 1 centimetre (0.39 in) to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) apart. There are about 12 radial spines, 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 7 centimetres (2.8 in) long, that are acicular and terete. However, there are fewer central spines, only 4, that tend to be angled and elongated at around 15 centimetres (5.9 in). One of the central spines is hooked at its apex as well.

This cactus' flowers are large, usually 7 centimetres (2.8 in) to 8 centimetres (3.1 in), and display a yellow color with an inner scarlet color in some forms. This cactus also produces a fruit that is oblong, 2 centimetres (0.79 in) to 5 centimetres (2.0 in) long, fleshy, edible, and a dark brown to drab-color (not red). In addition to these features, its seeds are pitted.

Features

Ferocactus hamatacanthus develops elongated glands, usually 2 centimetres (0.79 in) to 4 centimetres (1.6 in), in the aeroles between the flower and the spines. At first, these glands are soft, but as they mature they become hard and spine-like. Another key feature is the difference of its fruit compared to other species. The fruit of this species is thin and the flesh is very juicy and edible, reminiscent of kiwis in flavor.

See also

In Spanish: Ferocactus hamatacanthus para niños