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Golden Barrel Cactus – Kroenleinia grusonii

Taxonomy

Common Name: Golden Barrel Cactus

Botanical Name: Kroenleinia grusonii (Hildm.) Lodé (2014) 1, 2, 3

Synonyms:  2, 3
Echinocactus grusonii (Hildm.) Von Zeisold (1886);
Ferocactus grusonii (Hildm.) Guiggi (2021)

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus)

Taxonomic Fun Facts:
You might know this plant under the more common basionym Echinocactus grusonii, and that is because some authorities still utilize this name. With recent advancements in genetics, plant taxonomists have found that the golden barrel cactus is likely a hybrid between plants from the genus Echinocactus and Ferocactus. Because of this, a group of taxonomists has petitioned for it to be moved to its own genus, Kroenienia.

Morphological Characteristics

Golden barrel cactus is a cylindrical (globose) succulent covered in dense, thick, curved spines that can grow to roughly 3 inches long. They feature prominent ribbing, which allows them, like many other cacti, to thicken or shrink, allowing them to store water in harsh desert climates. They produce striking yellow flowers along their crown, which in the summer are used to attract pollinators.

Visual Portfolio, Posts & Image Gallery for WordPress
Side profile of a small, green golden barrel cactus with large yellow spines in a terracotta pot. The cactus is globular and slightly elongate and the spines follow the cactus' ridges which run vertically down the cactus around the perimeter.

Golden Barrel Cactus Profile 2
A small golden barrel cactus taken from above showing the crown of the plant. The cactus is green and globular with yellow spines that run vertically down the cactus on ridges that span the perimeter of the cactus. The crown is like a white circle on the top.

Golden Barrel Cactus From Above
Photo taken slightly above a green golden barrel cactus with large yellow spines. The angle shows the cactus crown which is a white circle. The cactus is globular and slightly elongate and the spines follow the cactus' ridges which run vertically down the cactus around the perimeter. It is in a terracotta pot in a greenhouse with a white brick backdrop and gravel floor.

Golden Barrel Cactus Elevated Profile
Side profile of a green golden barrel cactus with large yellow spines. The cactus is globular and slightly elongate and the spines follow the cactus' ridges which run vertically down the cactus around the perimeter. It is in a terracotta pot in a greenhouse with a white brick backdrop and gravel floor.

Golden Barrel Cactus Profile
Side profile of a small, green golden barrel cactus with large yellow spines in a terracotta pot. The cactus is globular and slightly elongate and the spines follow the cactus' ridges which run vertically down the cactus around the perimeter.
A small golden barrel cactus taken from above showing the crown of the plant. The cactus is green and globular with yellow spines that run vertically down the cactus on ridges that span the perimeter of the cactus. The crown is like a white circle on the top.
Photo taken slightly above a green golden barrel cactus with large yellow spines. The angle shows the cactus crown which is a white circle. The cactus is globular and slightly elongate and the spines follow the cactus' ridges which run vertically down the cactus around the perimeter. It is in a terracotta pot in a greenhouse with a white brick backdrop and gravel floor.
Side profile of a green golden barrel cactus with large yellow spines. The cactus is globular and slightly elongate and the spines follow the cactus' ridges which run vertically down the cactus around the perimeter. It is in a terracotta pot in a greenhouse with a white brick backdrop and gravel floor.

Ecology, Distribution, and Use

Conservation Status: Endangered 4

Conservation Concern:
This cactus is very adaptable and has become a popular landscaping plant in dry, desert-like climates and a favourite amongst plant collectors. Because of the demand for these plants, driving poaching and land development in the 1990s, wild populations began to decline, even becoming locally extinct in some areas. 4

Geographical Range:
The golden barrel cactus is native to the deserts of central and northeast Mexico. Predominantly: Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas.

Ecoregion: Central Mexican Matorral ecoregion

Ecological Interactions:

Ethnobotanical Use:
This cactus is typically used for landscaping and can be found in gardens all around the world. It is also a popular house plant. The fruits are not considered edible but are sometimes consumed as a source of water. 4

Sources

  1. Kroenleinia gen. nov. J. Lodé 2014: a new genus for a well-known cactus: Echinocactus grusonii
  2. Kew
  3. IPNI
  4. IUCN Red List

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