Scientific name:
Echinocactus polycephalus, now homalocephala polycephala
Common name:
Many headed barrel, cottontop cactus
Range:
Northwest and extreme southwest Arizona, far southwest Utah, southeast Nevada, southeast California
Form:
Spherical; forms large clumps
Habitat:
Arid scrubland, rocky slopes, canyons, pinyon-juniper foothills up to 6,000 feet elevation
Flowers:
Bright yellow, appearing at the top of the stem
Distribution map for echinocactus polycephalus
Echinocactus polycephalus is found all over the Mojave Desert, in four states, and is easily recognizable since it forms conspicuous mounds of large, spherical plants (up to 9 inches across), each protected by a dense mat of long, thick spines, growing on narrow ribs. Clusters may have up to 50 individuals, though 10 to 20 is more common. The grey, pale yellow or reddish spines (up to 5 inches long) are covered with a thin, felt-like substance, which weathers away after a few years. Spines grow on narrow ribs - 10 to 20 of them - with 4 long centrals and up to 15 shorter radials.
The small yellow flowers appear during early summer at the tip of the plant, often not opening fully owing to the thick lattice of spines.
The small yellow flowers appear during early summer at the tip of the plant, often not opening fully owing to the thick lattice of spines.
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