This is also known by the name Arizona Barrel Cactus. Its cylindrical shape justifies its name. It grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet and a diameter of 2 feet. Specimens ten feet tall and 3 feet across have been recorded.

The cactus has 15 to 28 ribs running from top to bottom. Flowers are yellow to orange red. Flower appears atop of the cactus fruit during the summer months.

The fruit is green when unripe. It turns yellow when ripe. The dried flower sits atop of the cactus for more than a year.

The cactus leans southwards and is given the nickname “Compass Barrel Cactus”.The extreme heat of the afternoon Sun slows down the growth on that side. The plant grows unevenly and leans towards south.

The older Barrel cactus lean so much that they get uprooted during rainy season -when the soil is loose. Barrel cactus lives for 50 to 100 years!

Visalakshi Ramani