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Compass Barrel

Ferocactus cylindraceus

false

3 gallon

Compass Barrel

Out of stock

8'x2'

Sizes:

Compass Barrel Cactus – Ferocactus cylindraceus
Synonym(s): Ferocactus acanthodes; Echinocactus cylindraceus
Also known as: California Barrel Cactus; Red Barrel; Desert Barrel Cactus

Compass Barrel Cactus is a striking cylindrical cactus native to the Mojave, Sonoran, and Colorado deserts. It typically grows as a solitary column, starting spherical and gradually elongating with age. New spines emerge bright red—especially vivid after rainfall—before aging to yellow, gray, or white. A long, curved central spine (often to ~5") is flanked by shorter outward-pointing spines and dense, lighter radial spines that mostly obscure the ribbed green body beneath.

In spring to early summer, mature plants produce a crown of funnel-shaped yellow to yellow-orange flowers, followed by fleshy, hollow, bright-yellow fruits. These blooms and fruits support a wide range of desert wildlife. Lizards and rodents also shelter beneath the dense spines for protection from predators and heat.

This cactus thrives in full sun and fast-draining sandy or rocky soils—common along canyon walls, arid slopes, alluvial fans, and disturbed desert sites. Extremely heat- and drought-tolerant once established, it’s slow-growing, long-lived, and highly adapted to desert extremes. Older plants often lean slightly southwest, a trait noted in this and closely related species. Because of illegal poaching and habitat loss, conserving wild populations is important.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Native bees (including cactus bees Diadasia spp.; sweat bees family Halictidae); honey bee (Apis mellifera); moths. While not a direct nectar source for Monarchs (Danaus plexippus), Compass Barrel Cactus is an important part of the natural plant community that supports Monarch habitat in the local desert ecosystem.
Bird Resources: Fruit/Berries; Seeds; Shelter/Cover
Bird Species: Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus); LeConte’s Thrasher (Toxostoma lecontei); Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii); House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus); Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Other Wildlife: Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii); Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni); small mammals (e.g., packrats Neotoma spp., cactus mouse Peromyscus eremicus); Beetles

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Very Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Filtered Sun

Mature size:

8'x2'

Growth rate:

Slow

Flower color:

Yellow

Flower season:

Spring; Summer

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

20 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Yes

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Yes

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Yes

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.