Mark A. Miller
Family
Cactaceae
Botanical Name
FEROCACTUS emoryi
Plant Common Name
Colville's Barrel Cactus, Emory's Barrel Cactus
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Known as Colville's or Emory's barrel cactus, this spined, succulent evergreen perennial occurs on gravelly or sandy soil in Sonoran Desert scrublands: across southwestern Arizona and the northern Mexican state of Sonora. It slowly develops into a rounded or cylindrical "barrel" with numerous ribs lined with clusters of fearsome spines. Mature plants typically reach thigh height, but up to shoulder height isn't out of the question over many decades. The long, stiff spines are usually a shade of gray, red or brown. As plants age, the spines in the clusters on each areole aren't as curved. Older plants produce a circle of showy, cupped, yellow blooms (subspecies emoryi) at their tops in summer to early fall. Some plants may display deep crimson-red flowers (subspecies colvillei). In the wild, an intermediate hybrid between the yellow and red flowering subspecies exists, producing golden orange blossoms. All types yield bright yellow fruits develop after pollination. Fruits may be fleshy or leathery after they dry, with seeds inside.
This sun-loving cactus does best in well-drained soil. It is equally happy in the ground or in a pot. Give it occasional water in summer, and dry conditions in winter. An irrigation system is not a requirement in the landscape, however. Emory's cactus is valued as an accent plant in a xeriscape rock garden or water-conservation landscape in regions that lack winter freezes. Aid species conservation by avoiding wild-collected plants.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Cactus or Succulent
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
United States, Southwestern United States, Mexico
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow, Red, Orange
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Fruit Color
Yellow, Lemon Yellow
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
No
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
