Origin and Habitat: Mexico (Sinaloa, Sonora), in coastal plains, at less than 400 m elevation.
Habitat: It grows in grit on the hill-sides. It gets lots of water in two months and lots of sun all year.

• Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae (J.G.Ortega) Pilbeam & Bowdery
• Ferocactus herrerae J.G.Ortega
• Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (J.G.Ortega) N.P.Taylor

• Ferocactus wislizeni Britton & Rose
• Echinocactus falconeri Orcutt
• Echinocactus wislizeni Engelm.
• Ferocactus wislizeni var. albispinus (Toumey) Y.Itô
• Echinocactus wislizeni var. albispinus Toumey
• Echinocactus wislizeni f. albispinus (Toumey) Schelle
• Ferocactus wislizeni var. falconieri (Orcutt) Y.Itô
• Ferocactus wislizeni var. phoeniceus (R.E.Kunze) Y.Itô
• Echinocactus wislizeni var. phoeniceus R.E.Kunze
• Echinocactus wislizeni f. phoeniceus (R.E.Kunze) Schelle
• Ferocactus phoeniceus (R.E.Kunze) Orcutt
• Ferocactus wislizeni var. rosea Y.Itô

• Ferocactus wislizeni subs. ajoensis Fencl & Kalas
• Ferocactus wislizeni var. ajoensis Fencl & Kalas

• Ferocactus wislizeni subs. herrerae (J.G.Ortega) Pilbeam & Bowdery
• Ferocactus herrerae J.G.Ortega
• Ferocactus wislizeni var. herrerae (J.G.Ortega) N.P.Taylor

• Ferocactus wislizeni subs. tiburonensis (G.E.Linds.) Pilbeam & Bowdery
• Echinocactus wislizeni subs. tiburonensis (G.E.Linds.) Felger
• Ferocactus tiburonensis (G.E.Linds.) Backeb.
• Ferocactus wislizeni var. tiburonensis G.E.Linds.

Description: Ferocactus wislizeniSN|16130]]SN|16130]] subs. herrerae is a barrel shaped cactus with remarkably long hooked spines.
Habit: Usually solitary.
Stem: Up to 40 cm in diameter, 2 m tall.
Ribs: About 13 sharp, occasionally spiraled.
Spines: The number of spines varies depending on the plant maturity; 7 to 9 central spines, at least one flattened, larger; bristle-like radials.
Flowers: Its flowers colour is always yellow with reddish midribs and brown tips.
Blooming time: Summer and early autumn.
Fruit: The fruit is fleshy, yellowish green.

Notes: Ferocactus herreraeSN|16130]]SN|16136]] (J. G. Ortega) along whit the allopatric species Ferocactus tiburonensisSN|16141]]SN|16141]] (G. E. Lindsay) are often cited as varieties of Ferocactus wislizeniSN|16136]]SN|16130]] by some botanists but all reports of intermediates with F. herrerae are based on normal F. herrerae there is in fact a 100 kilometre gap in Sonora where neither barrel occurs, this give rise to some doubt that it belongs to the same species as F. wislizeni.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) 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
2) David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
3) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001

Cultivation and Propagation: Use very draining soil, 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 scars or even fungal infections and death. Needs full sun. Keep dry at 10°C in winter, but can tolerate sporadic light frost.
Propagation: Seeds are the only way of reproducing.
Uses: The fruits of this plant are edible, and in the past, the seeds have been used to make flour.