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Ferocactus hamatacanthus
Ferocactus hamatacanthus (Muehlenpf.) Britton & Rose
Turk's Head, Turk's Head Cactus, Texas Barrel Cactus, Giant Fishhook Cactus
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: FEHA2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
In its early stages of growth the Turks head is rather round, but it becomes columnar as it reaches maturity, often about 8 inches tall and 8 inches in diameter. It usually has a single stem but occasionally will branch. It has 13-17 large, broad ribs with tubercles up to 2 inches high. Out of the tubercles grow 8-14 outer spines and 4-8 central ones, the lowest of which is extremely long, up to 6 inches, and hooked on the end. The flowers are 2 1/2-4 inches tall almost as wide, and fragrant, though one should be steady on one’s feet when smelling them. There are up to 30 inner petals, which are long and wide, but pointed at the tip. They are yellow, sometimes red at the base. The pistils and the anthers are yellow. The pistils extend beyond the stamen.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall, often shorter.
Flower: Yellow; reddish underneath the outer petals, 3 inches across.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Diurnal.
Distribution
USA: NM , TXNative Distribution: Along Rio Grande from mouth of Devil's River to El Paso, TX. Also northern Mexico.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Conditions Comments: Minimum temperature 45 F
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Desert landscapeConspicuous Flowers: yes
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-PM-8 Collected 2010-07-02 in Presidio County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 1140 - Cacti (1991) Clive Innes and Charles GlassBibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Ferocactus hamatacanthus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ferocactus hamatacanthus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ferocactus hamatacanthus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-10Research By: TWC Staff