Scientific Name
Echinocactus platyacanthus Link & Otto
Common Name(s)
Giant Barrel Cactus, Giant Viznaga, Large Barrel Cactus
Synonym(s)
Echinocactus arachnoideus, Echinocactus grandis, Echinocactus ingens,
Copiapoa macracantha, Echinocactus aulacogonus, Echinocactus aulacogonus var. diacopaulax, Echinocactus brachycentrus var. oligacantha, Echinocactus edulis, Echinocactus ghiesbreghtianus, Echinocactus grandis f. polycormus, Echinocactus grandis subsp. polycormus, Echinocactus helophorus, Echinocactus helophorus var. laevior, Echinocactus helophorus var. longifossulatus, Echinocactus ingens f. aulocogonus, Echinocactus ingens f. helophorus, Echinocactus ingens f. viznaga, Echinocactus ingens var. grandis, Echinocactus ingens var. helophorus, Echinocactus ingens var. subinermis, Echinocactus ingens var. visnaga, Echinocactus ingens var. viznaga, Echinocactus irroratus, Echinocactus karwinskii, Echinocactus macracanthus, Echinocactus minax, Echinocactus minax var. laevior, Echinocactus oligacanthus, Echinocactus palmeri, Echinocactus platyacanthus f. grandis, Echinocactus platyacanthus f. visnaga, Echinocactus platyacanthus subsp. grandis, Echinocactus platyacanthus var. palmeri, Echinocactus platyacanthus var. viznaga, Echinocactus platyceras, Echinocactus platyceras var. laevior, Echinocactus platyceras var. minax, Echinocactus tuberculatus, Echinocactus tuberculatus var. spiralis, Echinocactus visnaga, Echinofossulocactus helophorus, Echinofossulocactus helophorus var. longifossulatus, Echinofossulocactus karwinskianus, Echinofossulocactus macracanthus, Echinofossulocactus platyceras, Melocactus ingens, Melocactus platyacanthus, Melocactus tuberculatus
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Echinocactus
Origin
This species is native to Mexico. It occurs in semi-arid vegetation from Nuevo León to Oaxaca.
Description
Echinocactus platyacanthus is a slow-growing barrel cactus with a heavily ribbed, usually solitary, green to glaucous stem with ribs lined with clusters of long stiff spines. It can live for over 100 years. The stem initially has 5 to 20, later up to 60 ribs, and grows up to 8.2 feet (2.5 m) tall and 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter. The apex of the stem is flat and covered with a yellow felt-like substance. Spines are spreading, somewhat flattened, yellowish to reddish or brownish, becoming greyish or blackish with age. Each areole bears 3 to 10 straight, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long radial and 3 to 4 somewhat curved, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long central spines.
Flowers are diurnal, vivid yellow, funnel-shaped, and appear in late spring and summer, sometimes in fall. They are up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long and 3.2 inches (8 cm) in diameter. Fruits are yellowish, oblong to club-shaped, up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long, and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
These cacti do best in a sunny window, perhaps a southern exposure. Plants that do not get enough sunlight will grow more slowly and fail to thrive.
It is critical never to let these cacti be exposed to prolonged periods in water or even very high humidity. They will suffer from rot in the presence of humidity.
Echinocactus are vulnerable to pests, including aphids, mealybugs, scale, and whitefly. Identify the infestation as early as possible and treat it with the leave toxic option.
It is best to repot at the beginning of the growing season or summer. To repot a cactus, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echinocactus.
Links
- Back to genus Echinocactus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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