Twisted Barrel Cactus. Ferocactus herrerae, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Twisted Barrel Cactus. Also called: Mexican Fishhook Barrel Cactus. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. The plant leans toward the sun and thus turns south. Several desert plants have the same tendancy. The reason they lean towards the south is that the north side of the plant grows faster than the south side. The plant is filled with a slippery alkaline solution instead of water. The fruits attract insects and rodents. The pulp can be used for cactus candy. There are three species in Arizona. Cactus thorns are modified leaves. Their shape conserves water and adds protection to the cactus plant. Quick Notes: Height: Up To About 11' tall. Most are 2' to 3' Tall. Flowers: Yellow - orange to Red. About 2 1/2 -inch-wide flowers bloom during April - August. Day blooming, forming a crown of flowers, always on the top of the cactus. Blooming Time: April - August. Fruit: The fruit is up to 1 3/4"X 1 3/8" in diameter, it is yellow and fleshy, it later dries becoming scale looking and brown. Trunk: Up to 2' in diameter consisting of an interior framework of about 20 - 30 or more woody ribs supports the spongy tissue. Spines: Gray to Red in Color, forming dense clusters along the ribs. They are large and slightly hooked. Seeds: The seed is light tan in color 1/16 to 1/8 inch in diameter, they are irregular and rough. Found: Found at elevations less than 1,500 feet along the coastal areas of Sonora and Sinaloa, Mexico. It has also been found in the mountain areas to about 4,000 feet elevation in the state of Durango. Elevation: 0 - 4,000 Feet. Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Habitat: On lower elevation sandy desert, and gravel slopes in the deserts and flat lands. Common xeriscape landscape plant in Arizona. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken At Phoenix Arizona, Desert Botanical Garden. March 3, 2008.

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