Native to Arizona and northern Mexico, Ferocactus wislizeni is a hook spined barrel that can reach 30 inches in diameter and 6 feet in height. In spring and summer it produces yellow to yellowish red flowers from the crown of the plant. The fruits are bright yellow.
     This one is about 5 inches around allready and it was planted in the garden in June. The picture was taken right after a rain which really brought out the color of the spines. I don't have any flower pics to share yet but Trent, a fellow member at Davesgarden.com, has graciously given me permission to use the pic below. Thanks Trent! Click a thumbnail below.
     Update August 12th 2006. I decided to revisit the Desert Museum now that we've had some rain and was lucky enough to find a lot of barrels blooming. I now have more F. wislizenii flower pics than I know what to do with!

Flowers by Trent	A huge old timer at the Sabbar Shrine	Close up of fruits	Desert Museum with a bee in flight
Another one with 8 buds	A closeup of the open flower	Another from a different angle	Another with a bunch of flowers open
Another with redder flowers	A fine old specimen about five feet tall