Fishhook Barrel Cactus

There are six species of barrel cacti in the US, with three in Arizona. Barrel cacti are named for their shape and possibly for the mistaken belief that they are hollow and contain water.

During the rainy (monsoon) season, the vertical ribs widen and become shallower, allowing the cactus to expand as the plant absorbs water. Storing water enables it to survive many months without rain.

If a desperately thirsty hiker manages the difficult task of cutting one open, the thick liquid pulp can be consumed, but it has a bad taste. You probably learn that in only a certain type of scouting!

They begin to bloom after the summer rains begin, peaking in August and September. The fruit is a fleshy oval green pod with tufts of dried brown flower parts on the top. They turn bright yellow, as seen in my shot, when they are ripe. They will release small black seeds from the base. The fruit is not edible.

One thing all barrel cacti have in common is that faster growth on the shadier side of all stems causes them to tilt southwest. Some get so tall and so heavy and lean so far, they just tip over.