fire barrel cactus Cactaceae Ferocactus gracilis

Leaf:Reduced to spines, with clear differences between central and radial spines; radial spines white, in clusters of 8-12, to 1 inch; central spines red, in clusters of 7-13, to 2 1/2 inches, displayed in dense vertical rows along the bark ridges, areoles 1 1/2 inches apart.
Flower:Attractive, bright red, 1 ½ inches across, near the tip of the cactus, blooming late spring to early summer.
Fruit:A cylindrical to oval berry, 1, yellow, dry relative to other cacti, resembling a pineapple.
Twig:
Bark:A green, leathery thick skin with 16-24 prominent vertical ridges.
Form:One unbranched stout globular to cylindrical stem up to 5 (9) feet tall and 3 feet wide, but more commonly to 6 feet and 2 feet wide.

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