About Ferocactus townsendianus Britton & Rose
Ferocactus townsendianus is a barrel cactus that grows with a single solitary stem. Its stems are short-cylindrical to slightly conical, usually growing 50 cm (20 in) tall, and sometimes reaching 1 m (3.3 ft) in height. It can have up to 16 ribs, which are often spiraled or somewhat wavy (undulate). The areoles are large and spaced far apart, and bear gray to brown spines. It has up to 16 slender, widely spreading radial spines that can grow up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long. It has 3 to 4 central spines: the main central spine is typically curved or hooked at the tip, though it is sometimes straight, while the other central spines are always straight. All central spines have an annulate (ringed) texture. Flowers bloom from May to August, and are orange to red, measuring 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) long. The outer perianth segments are ovate in shape, reddish in color with yellow margins. The inner perianth segments are oblong-lanceolate in shape, with a narrow pink stripe down their center and yellow margins. Both the filaments and style are dark pink. The fruit is almost spherical, 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long, and yellow. This species is endemic to the state of Baja California Sur in Mexico. Its range extends from the area around Loreto and San Juanico south to the southern Sierra de la Giganta, and continues south into the Cape region. It also grows on Isla San José in the Gulf of California, as well as on Isla Santa Margarita and Isla Magdalena in Magdalena Bay along the Pacific coast.
