Blue Barrel Cactus

- Plants are 1 gallon sized, bare-rooted for shipping -
 
Blue Barrel Cactus, or Ferocactus glaucescens, is a slow-growing cactus with a usually solitary, bluish-green, spherical or cylindrical stem. It grows up to 2 feet (6 cm) in diameter and has 11 to 15 ribs, 6 to 7 radials and no (or rarely one) central spine. The spines are light yellow, straight and up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long. Flowers are lemon yellow, funnel-shaped and up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter. They are followed by white, up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) long fruits. This species is found in deciduous dry forests and dry shrubland habitats on limestone hills and boulders. It is quite common in several locations in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico where has been noted to favour the more northern slopes, and the plants are well associated with the rocky, juniper woodland community. This species is also locally abundant in appropriate habitat in Querétaro, but in Guanajuato it is uncommon. Ferocactus glaucescens is considered not threatened due to its relatively widespread and abundant subpopulations, because there are no major threats, and because it occurs in several protected areas, however locally subpopulations are declining due to land use change.
 
Note: Blue Barrel Cacti are particularly susceptible to splitting due to overwatering. Individuals listed do have a varying degree of splitting present.