Ferocactus rectispinus Description
Scientific Name: Ferocactus rectispinus (Engelmann) Britton et Rose
Common Names: Long Spined Barrel Cactus, Straight Spine
Barrel
Distribution:(Central
Baja California, Mexico) Ferocactus rectispinus is a narrow endemic species, usually found
near the coast in the vicinity of Bahía de la Concepción. The Cerro Colorado
population is more inland and farther north than any previously
documented.
Habitat: Often on coastal high cliffs.
Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.
Ferocactus rectispinus (now considered Ferocactus emoryi ssp.
rectispinus)
This
magnificent plant has some of the longest straightest spines of the Ferocacti.
In late summer it produces large yellow flowers followed by lemon yellows
persistent fruits.
Description: F. rectispinus is a
solitary barrel cactus except in case of injury to the growing
tip.
Stems: Erect, globular when young to a stout cylinder when older,
30-200 tall × 30-60 cm in diameter; tubercled when young later forming
ribs.
Ribs: 15-21, shallowly notched immediately above each areole.
Areoles: Oval with brown wool, 3-4 cm apart.
Central spine:
1, very long ( 9-25 cm long × 2.5-4 mm. in cross section ), never hooked (or
slightly hooked, but only on relatively young plants), roughly cylindrical,
annulate, all robust and rigid. Reddish, reddish grey, or horn
coloured.
Radial spines: 5 to 9, spreading, not hooked,
2.5 to 7 cm long, with the upper 3 larger.
Flowers: Large, light yellow, 6-7.5 long× 5-7.5 cm in diameter:
Blooming
season: Summer.
Fruits:
Persistent, oblong, scaled, 2,5-5cm long × 25-35 mm long in diameter with the
dried remains of the flower atop, ± readily dehiscent through basal pore, bright
yellow.
Seeds: 2 mm. in diameter, black.
F. rectispinus produce nectar in the nectaries at the top of the cactus that feed the ants that live around its base.
In turn, the ants are very territorial and seem to protect the plants from other insects that might try to walk up the stem and damage the fresh, delicate cells at the growing apex or steal nectar or pollen from the flowers. This strategy is useful to not only to protect the plant from
small herbivores but also to promote outcrossing pollination because the only bugs that can
successfully visit the flowers without being attacked by the ants are flying pollinator insects like butterflies and bees that carry pollen from other individuals and
other ,
in turn increasing the genetic diversity of the species.
Cultivation: Slow growing to start but
does well under cultivation. Use very
draining soil, water during the aestival growth cycle (this plant need
plenty of water) But needs to be avoided wetting the bodies of these plants
while they are in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sun light can cause sun burning
which can lead to scares or even fungal infections and death.
Needs full sun. Keep dry at 10°C in winter, but can tolerate
sporadic light frost.
Reproduction: Seeds are the only way of reproducing.
