Ferocactus histrix

Botanical Description

Ferocactus histrix is a spiny, succulent, evergreen, barrel cactus, usually producing a single, depressed-globose to short-cylindrical stem that can be up to 110cm tall and 80cm in diameter[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. ]. This species is probably one of the two most economically important barrel cacti growing in Mexico (the other is Echinocactus platyacanthus Link & Otto). The plant is widely exploited from the wild as a food and medicine, and is also removed from the wild to be grown as an ornamental. The flower buds are especially popular as a food, being sold in local markets, the fruits are also sold there, and there is a large industry making candy from the flesh of the stems. The importance of this species increases with the aridity of the land in which it grows and the inadequacy of this land for agriculture[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Ferocactus histrix has clearly undergone a significant population decline in the last 30 to 100 years (one generation is estimated to be at least 30 years) as a result of widespread over-collection of mature individuals, flowers and fruits, coupled with the loss of plants through clearance of habitat for urban expansion. The use of this species for food has also resulted in diminished potential for re-establishment because of the removal of flowers and seeds which is further exacerbated by over-grazing by cattle and goats. The percentage reduction is not known with any certainty, but given the levels of usage over much of the range, it seems reasonable to suspect that there has been more than a 20% population reduction over the past 100 years. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].