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Origin and Habitat: Ferocactus histrix is endemic to Central-Eastern Mexico where it is widely distributed in the states of Aguascalientes, Durango, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz and Zacatecas.
Altitude range: 1,200 and 2,600 metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology: The species occurs in xerophyllous scrub, oak forests and submontane scrub. Accompanying cactus and succulent species can be Echinocactus horizonthalonius, Echinocereus blanckii, Stenocereus marginatus, Myrtillocactus geometrizans, Coryphantha clava, Mammillaria uncinata, Neolloydia conoidea, Opuntia microdasys, Jatropha spathulata, Agave filifera, Agave celsii, Echeveria agavioides, Dasylirion acrortichum and Yucca filifera. The development of an adult plant of Ferocactus histrix from seed takes decades (one generation is estimated to be at least 30 years). This was one of the most abundant barrel cactus species, but the population is suspected to be in serious decline due to over-exploitation of mature individuals, flowers and fruits and loss of plants through clearance of habitat for urban expansion. In addition to the direct exploitation, goats and cattle degrade the microhabitats reducing the success of germination and seedling establishment. Human consumption of adult plants for producing "dulces de acitron" (candy) was a significant threat in many areas, but especially near human population centres, as this requires the destruction of mature plants to obtain the parenchyma. This practice is now banned by law, and the candy may only be sold commercially if it is produced from cultivated plants.
Synonyms:
Description: Ferocactus histrix is a colourful barrel cactus usually unbranched, forming a single moderately tall column.
Stem: Globular to short-cylindric up to 110 cm tall and 50-60(-80) cm in diameter, bluish green with large, depressed, woolly stem tips.
Ribs: to 20-40 or more.
Areoles: 2 to 3 cm apart, almost confluent in old plants.
Spines: 10 to 12 stout, amber yellow, becoming brown, red to brown at base.
Central spines: 1-4 uppermost 2-1 to 3,5 cm, lowermost, much stouter and longer, 4-6(-9) cm long, porrect or ascending, annulate, sometimes flattened or angular in cross section, and often slightly down-curved, except in young plants.
Radial spines: Slender-subulate 6-9 2 to 3 cm. long, more or less spreading.
Flowers: Bell shaped, 2-3,5 cm long, 2,5 cm in diameter, bright yellow, sometimes reddish; inner perianth-segments linear-oblong, acute, somewhat spreading; stigma-lobes 6, linear, green; scales on the ovary ovate, acute, small, 2 to 4 mm long, somewhat ciliate. It is an obligate outcrossing cactus. Pollen is released 1 to 2 days after anthesis. At this stage the stigma lobes are closed, and the pollinators usually land directly on the stamens to reach the nectary. In this way, pollen can be easily collected. After 2 to 3 days of opening, the stigma lobes expand and are used by pollinators as a landing platform. and pollen from others flowers can be deposited (del Castillo 1994). Therefore, self pollination within the same flower is avoided but the transfer of pollen from one flower to another in the same plant is not, as flowering is sequential.
Fruit: Short-oblong, 2-3 cm. pinkish, fleshy and somewhat edible. Often bursting apically to release seeds in liquid.
seeds: Minute, 1 mm long, dark brown, testa finely pitted.
Blooming season: Summer.