Macro image of a Barrel Shaped Cactus in the greenhouse at Walmer Castle, Kent

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Barrel cacti are various members of the two genera Echinocactus and Ferocactus, found in the deserts of Southwestern North America. Some of the largest specimens can be found in the Mojave Desert in southern California. ome species of barrel cactus reach over 1 metre ( ft) in height at maturity, and have been known to reach 3 metres ( ft) in some regions. The ribs are numerous and pronounced, and the spines are long and can range in color from yellow to tan to red, depending on the age of the plant and the species. Flowers appear at the top of the plant only after many years. The barrel cactus can live to be over 100 years old. Barrel cactus buds typically start to bloom in April with a bright yellow or orange flower. Pink and red varieties also exist but occur less frequently. The flowers only appear on the very top of the plant. As the flowers begin to wilt in early May, they may change color. A late summer desert rainstorm can produce a late bloom, as shown in the photograph below of the orange flowered variety (it bloomed two days after a hurricane in mid-August and continued to bloom through the end of September).

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Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Walmer Castle and Gardens, Walmer, Kent
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: barrel, botanical, cactus, castle, close-, gardening, gardens, kent, macro, shaped, spines, walmer