Origin and Habitat: The various variety of Ferocactus cylindraceusSN|10102]]SN|10102]] (= Ferocactus acanthodesSN|21503]]SN|10113]]) are spread in the southern of United States (central and western Arizona, southeastern California Nevada, and Utah) and southwards into Mexico (Baja California and Sonora) .
Altitude range: From sea level to 1750 metres.
Habitat: This cactus is locally abundant in arid gravelly or rocky foothills, canyon walls, fans and wash margins, sometimes on the plains among creosote bush scrub, it also utilizes slopes and acid igneous rock lands. The species is limited in its northwards range by frost conditions. To reduce the damage by frost the plant is found on south facing slopes and it leans to the south to protect the sensitive growing tip by placing it for best exposure to the sun. The dense shading of the growing tip by spines, fruit, flowers remnants and pubescence allow this species a further northward range and higher elevations than Ferocactus wislizeniSN|16130]]SN|16130]]i or Ferocactus covilleiSN|10113]]SN|21503]]. Ferocactus cylindraceusSN|10102]]SN|10102]] is widespread and abundant, grows mostly in rocky areas, with little threat with no evidence of directional population trend. In some coastal areas tourist development is an issue.

• Ferocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Orcutt
• Echinocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Engelm.
• Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus Engelm.

• Ferocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Orcutt
• Echinocactus cylindraceus (Engelm.) Engelm.
• Echinocactus viridescens var. cylindraceus Engelm.
• Ferocactus acanthodes (Lem.) Britton & Rose
• Echinocactus acanthodes Lem.
• Ferocactus acanthodes f. albispinus hort.
• Ferocactus acanthodes var. rostii (Britton & Rose) W.T.Marshall
• Echinocactus acanthodes var. rostii (Britton & Rose) Munz
• Echinocactus rostii (Britton & Rose) A.Berger
• Ferocactus rostii Britton & Rose
• Ferocactus acanthodes f. variegatus hort.
• Ferocactus cylindraceus var. hertrichii (Weinberg) hort.
• Echinocactus hertrichii Weinberg & Werderm. in Backeb.
• Ferocactus acanthodes var. hertrichii (Weinberg) hort.
• Ferocactus hertrichii (Weinberg) Kreuz.
• Thelocactus hertrichii (Weinberg) Borg

• Ferocactus cylindraceus subs. eastwoodiae (L.D.Benson) N.P.Taylor
• Ferocactus acanthodes var. eastwoodiae L.D.Benson in L.D.Benson
• Ferocactus cylindraceus var. eastwoodiae (L.D.Benson) N.P.Taylor
• Ferocactus eastwoodiae (L.D.Benson) L.D.Benson

• Ferocactus cylindraceus subs. lecontei (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor
• Echinocactus lecontei Engelm.
• Echinocactus wislizeni var. lecontei (Engelm.) Engelm.
• Echinocactus wislizeni f. lecontei (Engelm.) Schelle
• Ferocactus acanthodes var. lecontei (Engelm.) G.E.Linds.
• Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei (Engelm.) Bravo
• Ferocactus lecontei (Engelm.) Britton & Rose

• Ferocactus cylindraceus var. tortulispinus (H.E.Gates) Bravo
• Ferocactus acanthodes subs. tortulispinus (H.E.Gates) F.Wolf & R.Wolf
• Ferocactus acanthodes var. tortulispinus (H.E.Gates) G.E.Linds.
• Ferocactus cylindraceus subs. tortulispinus (H.E.Gates) N.P.Taylor
• Ferocactus tortulispinus H.E.Gates

Description: Ferocactus cylindraceusSN|10113]]SN|10102]] = (Ferocactus acanthodesSN|10102]]SN|10113]]) is a colourful barrel cactus usually unbranched, forming a single moderately tall column. Four subspecies are recognized, the nominate form, subsp. eastwoodiae (L.D.Benson) N.P.Taylor, subsp. lecontei (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor and subsp. tortulispinus (Gates) N.P.Taylor.
Stem: Green, spherical becoming columnar up to 2 m tall and 30 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 2,5 cm high and tuberculate.
Central spines: A large central spine and three auxiliary centrals form a crucifix shape. The primary central is 7-15 long, angles down and is slightly to moderately hooked, sometimes to 90 degrees. The other centrals are from 5 to 7,5 cm long. The centrals are noticeably ring ridged and flattened, with a flat upper surface and rounded lower surface. Spines can be very light grey to red and yellow, but darken to black with age.
Flowers: Yellow tinged with red appear in May and June at the crown of the plant, 4 to 6 cm.
Fruit: Fleshy, covered with scales, yellow or yellowish green, 5 cm long, 2,5 cm in diameter.
Remarks: The flowers on all subspecies are yellow, occasionally with a red tint.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1)Forest & Kim Starr Ferocactus cylindraceus (Barrel cactus). Plants of Hawaii. <http://www.starrenvironmental.com>. Downloaded on 22 August 2014.
2) David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
3) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
4) Park S. Nobel "Environmental Biology of Agaves and Cacti" Cambridge University Press, 16/ott/2003
5) Lyman D. Benson "The Native Cacti of California" Stanford University Press, 01/set/1988
6) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “The Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” Volume 3, 1922
7) 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
8) Burquez Montijo, A. & Felger, R.S. 2013. Ferocactus cylindraceus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 August 2014.

Cultivation and Propagation: Ferocactus cylindraceusSN|10102]]SN|10102]] are summer-growing and pretty easy plants.
Growing rate: Thought slow to start the speed when they reach about five cm in diameter. Plant in good conditions will start to bloom when reach the diameter of only 15-18 cm.
Soil: They are suited for any rich, well drained soil such us clay, pumice, lava grit, and only a little peat or leaf-mould.
Repotting: If potted, repot them preferably in the spring, if their roots become cramped. Generally, they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they'll need larger containers. Fill about a quarter of the pot with broken crocks, gravel, etc. to promote good drainage. After repotting, do not water for a week or more.
Watering: Water regularly during the aestival growth cycle (this plant need plenty of water, but do not overwater and let their soil dry out between waterings), 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, keep rather dry in winter. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Exposure: Outside they need a bright exposure, full sun or half shade in summer if the location is exceedingly hot or bright, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun. It can tolerate moderate shade, and a plant that has been growing in shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun as the plant will be severely scorched if moved too suddenly from shade into sun.
Frost Tolerance: Light frost protection required for safe cultivation, but can tolerate sporadic light frost. This plants need a period of cool rest in winter to produce flowers abundantly.
Diseases and pests: Watch for infestations of mealybug, scale insects and spider mite.
Use and Trade: In the past the Seris indian used to eat the seeds. There is a minor fruit use.
Propagation: Seeds are the only way of reproducing. Seed Collecting: Permit fruit to ripen. Fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds.