About Ferocactus diguetii (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose
Ferocactus diguetii is the largest barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus. It grows as a massive, solitary, columnar stem, reaching up to 4 metres (13 ft) in height and 1 metre (3.3 ft) in diameter. Most mature individuals are 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall and 60–80 cm (2.0–2.6 ft) in diameter. It has between 25 and 35 thin ribs, and each areole grows up to 8 radial spines, usually with no central spines. Spines are most often yellow, rarely red; they can reach 4 centimetres (1.6 in) in length and have a slight curve. Flowers bloom from March to May, and range in color from fiery red to orange. They measure 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) in both length and diameter. The barrel-shaped fruits are a similar size to the flowers, are lemon yellow, and are covered in crescent-shaped scales. This species is endemic to the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, and only occurs on several islands in the southern Gulf of California: Isla del Carmen, Isla Danzante, Isla Monserrate, Isla Santa Catalina, Isla Santa Cruz, Isla San Diego, and Isla Cerralvo. Ivan M. Johnston recorded the species from Isla Coronados, but the population there may now be extirpated. It grows at elevations between 10 and 300 m (33–984 ft). Britton and Rose observed that this species does not occupy a single distinct habitat, growing in sites ranging from mountainsides with large igneous rocks to old shell beaches. It grows alongside Bursera microphylla and Pachycereus pringlei.
