Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei

Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei is a bold and charismatic cactus that thrives in the sun-scorched deserts of California, Nevada, and Baja California, where its imposing form and rugged resilience make it an icon of arid landscapes. This barrel-shaped species grows upright, often reaching up to 2.5 meters, with a slightly leaning stem that follows the sun. Its fleshy, bluish-green body is deeply ribbed and dramatically armored with clusters of fierce central spines, which are typically hooked, thick, and vividly colored in hues of deep red, copper, or golden yellow, surrounded by fine radial spines that shimmer white or silver. This variety, lecontei, is particularly admired for its intensely colored and heavier spination, distinguishing it from the typical form. During late spring and summer, a halo of large, golden-yellow to orange flowers emerges in a ring near the crown, adding an unexpected brightness to the cactus’s rugged profile. The woolly, ovoid fruits that follow serve as a food source for native wildlife. Sculptural, slow-growing, and exceptionally drought-hardy, Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei is an ideal focal point for xeriscaping, rock gardens, or collectors seeking dramatic, desert-native forms.

IMPORTANT: Picture 1 show adult mother plant not for sale, the plant for sale is the one shown in the other pictures.