Common Name: Fire Barrel Cactus

General Information

Ferocactus pilosus is a spiny, succulent, evergreen, barrel cactus, producing either a single, large stem or a massive clump of several stems; each stem can be up to 3 metres tall and 50cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].
Ferocactus pilosus has an extensive range, a large number of individuals, and low level of threat. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - northeast to central Mexico (Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas)

Habitat

Semi desert areas, growing on various soil types[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ferocactus pilosus requires an arid or semi-arid climate with hot summers if it is to thrive, but it can tolerate occasional, short-lived frosts, being known to tolerate temperatures falling to about -4°c[].
In cultivation, Cactus plants generally will not succeed in moist climates. They usually require a sunny position in a well-drained, circumneutral soil and to be kept more or less dry in the dormant season[].

Edible Uses

Flower buds are collected for human consumption[, ]

The liquid obtained by crushing the pulp inside the stem can be used as an emergency source of fluid[, , ]. It is said to be at least refreshing, though unpleasant and slimy to the taste[]

We have no more specific information for this species, but members of this genus are often a valuable resource in the dry regions where they are native, and they are generally much utilised for food by native peoples. These uses are likely to include:-
The cooked buds and flowers have a flavour somewhat like that of Brussels sprouts. Sometimes the buds were eaten fresh, although they are bitter unless cooked[].
The seeds are rich in oil and protein, and can be ground into an oily paste[].
The stems of barrel cacti are traditionally baked in a pit, and the cooked pulp sliced and eaten[].
The candied pulp of the stem of various barrel cacti makes an excellent sweetmeat, which is much used in Mexico and the southwestern United States, and is sold in the eastern United States as ‘cactus candy’[]
The fresh fruits are edible, but very acidic or sour[]. The yellow, ovoid fruits of this species are 3 - 4cm long[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but members of this genus are a valuable resource in the dry regions where they are native, and they are often utilised by native peoples. These uses are likely to include:-
The plants have been used as cooking vessels. The interior is scooped out and mashed, and the liquid thus obtained replaced in the cavity and heated with hot stones, after which food is placed in the liquid and cooked[].
Several species develop tough spines and, after straightening out the tips and reducing the thicker part, these can be used as toothpicks and needles for knitting stockings etc[].

Propagation

Seed -