Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

• Ferocactus reppenhagenii f. cristatus hort.

• Ferocactus reppenhagenii G.Unger
• Ferocactus alamosanus subs. reppenhagenii (G.Unger) N.P.Taylor
• Parrycactus alamosanus subs. reppenhagenii (G.Unger) Doweld
• Parrycactus reppenhagenii (G.Unger) Doweld
• Ferocactus reppenhagenii f. cristatus hort.

Description: Ferocactus reppenhagenii as old plants are of a small diameter, nearly cereoid growing with usually less than 13 ribs (while Ferocactus alamosoanus are large globular in appearance with many ribs (more than 20).
Stem: Shortly cylindrical up to 30 cm (but usually less) in diameter, 75 to 100 cm tall, occasionally much taller.
Ribs: 12-18 (rarely more than 13) Rounder than in Ferocactus alamosoanus.
Areoles: In old plants they are almost connected.
Spines: Needle-like, yellowish and densely intermeshed.
Central spine: 1, sometimes flattened, to 6 cm long.
Radial spines: 8 straw-coloured, 3 to 4 cm long .
Flowers: Greenish yellow, small and narrow 3-4 cm long, 3 cm in diameter the petals are lanceolate and acute.
Fruits: Bright red and not splitting when ripe.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
3) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
4) N. L. Britton, J. N. Rose “The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family.” Volume 4, The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923

Cultivation and Propagation: It is a summer-growing and pretty easy species thought slow to start. It is suited for any rich, well drained soil in full sun throughout the year. Water it during the aestival growth cycle (this plant need plenty of water) but be careful not to overwater and also needs to be avoided wetting the body of this plant while it is in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sun light can cause sun burning which can lead to scars or even fungal infections and death. In winter keep completely dry at 10°C, but can tolerate sporadic light frost. Plant in good conditions will start to bloom when reach the diameter of only 15-18 cm. It is apt to undergo attacks of red spiders if it is placed near fruit trees.
Propagation:: Grafting or occasionally cuttings.