Common Name: Chihuahuan Fish-hook Cactus

General Information

Ferocactus uncinatus is a spiny, succulent, evergreen, barrel cactus, usually producing a single, globose to cylindrical stem that can be up to 18 - 27cm tall and10 - 12 cm in diameter[].
Plant short-cylindric, 10 to 20 cm. high, bluish, slightly glaucous, with spindle-shaped roots ; ribs usually 13[]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is often grown as an ornamental[].
Ferocactus uncinatus has a very large range, and even though it is scattered and not abundant, it is not
affected by any known major 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 - southern New Mexico and Texas, south to central Mexico

Habitat

Xerophyllous scrub on limestone or calcareous soils; at elevations from 900 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ferocactus uncinatus is native to semi-arid and arid regions of northern Mexico, extending into southern USA. Plants require a dry climate and hot summers if they are to thrive, those from the more northern parts of its range (particularly subspecies wrightii) are known to survive short periods with temperatures falling as low as -12°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

Fruir - raw[]. Somewhat fleshy[]. The scarlet-coloured, oblong fruit is free of spines and around 20mm long[].

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[]

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 -