Accepted Scientific Name: Ferocactus fordii (Orcutt) Britton & Rose
Cactaceae (Britton & Rose) 3: 126, fig. 132. 1922 [12 Oct 1922] Britton & Rose
Ferocactus fordii var. brevispinus Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: This plant is a selected form known only in cultivation. The natural species occurs in the Pacific coast of Baja California and Baja California Sur, Mexico, Northern America.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Ferocactus fordii
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Ferocactus fordii (Orcutt) Britton & RoseCactaceae (Britton & Rose) 3: 126, fig. 132. 1922 [12 Oct 1922]Synonymy: 3
Accepted name in llifle Database:Ferocactus fordii subs. borealis N.P.TaylorCactaceae Syst. Init. 14: 16. 2002 [Oct 2002]
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Description: Ferocactus fordii var. brevispinusSN|12330]]SN|31115]] is an undescribed name used in some catalogues to indicate a morphological form of Ferocactus fordiiSN|12330]]SN|12330]] with comparatively shorter spines. However the length of spines of var. brevispinus, appears to fall within the natural variation of Ferocactus fordiiSN|31115]]SN|12330]], so it should be synonymized with the latter.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Ferocactus fordii group
- Ferocactus fordii (Orcutt) Britton & Rose: The plants in circulation and labelled F. fordii are now named var. borealis, which means northerly. The proper F. Fordii is quite a sight since it has much longer spines.
- Ferocactus fordii subs. borealis N.P.Taylor: It occurs one third of the way down the Baja peninsula, near the coast and near the road. It is fully grown at 20 cm in diameter.
- Ferocactus fordii var. brevispinus n.n., catalog name: is a cultivated form with comparatively shorter spines.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
2) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
3) León de la Luz, J.L., Hernández, H.M. & Gómez-Hinostrosa, C. 2013. Ferocactus fordii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 28 April 2015.
4) Stuart Max Walters “The European Garden Flora: Dicotyledons (Part I)” Cambridge University Press, 1989
Cultivation and Propagation: Slow growing to start but does well under cultivation. Suited for any rich, well drained soil in full sun throughout the year. Water during the aestival growth cycle (this plant need plenty of water) But needs to be avoided wetting the bodies of these plants while they are in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sun light can cause sun burning which can lead to scares 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 7-8 cm.
Propagation: Seeds are the only way of reproducing.