Echinocactus grusonii Hildmann
Growth Habits: Globular plant getting slightly taller with age, solitary but may clump as it gets older. Grows to be a large barrel shaped plant up to 3 feet in diam and tall.
Scientific name: Echinocactus grusonii
Common names: Golden Barrel Cactus, Golden Ball, Mother-in-Law's Cushion.
Synonym: None found
Etymology: From the Greek words echinos, meaning hedgehog, and kaktos, meaning thistle.
Named For Hermann Gruson, a cactus collector.
Origin: Queretaro de Arteaga - Mexico
Light: Full sun to light shade.
Compost: A free draining standard cactus mix.
Water: Regular water in spring to autumn.
Flower: Yellow.
Min temp: Opinions vary between 18ºF (-8ºC) and 14°F (-10°C), for short periods if kept dry.
Cultivation: Easy to grow plant with the usual cactus environment.
References. http://www.ipni.org
http://www.cactiguide.com
Comments. This plant is one of the most commonly available in cultivation, found not only in specialist nurseries but in box stores and garden centres all over the world.
Over recent years large specimens have become popular as landscape plants in countries where conditions allow them to be grown outside.
Image showing how different the seedling/juvenile plant looks.
Image showing mature plant. Photographer: Daiv Freeman
Image showing flowers Photographer: Daiv Freeman