This species is sometimes confused with Ferocactus echidne (DC.) Britton & Rose, and may even hybridize with that species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Ferocactus glaucescens is a spiny, succulent, evergreen, barrel cactus, that produces one to many, globose stems that can each be up to 45cm tall and 50cm in diameter[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is grown as an ornamental338].
Ferocactus glaucescens is relatively widespread with abundant subpopulations; it faces no major threats, and is also found in several protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - central Mexico (Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí)

Habitat

Deciduous dry forests and dry shrubland; at elevations from 550 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The globose, fleshy, whitish or yellowish, tinged with red fruit is up to 25mm long[].

The liquid obtained by crushing the pulp inside the stem can be used as an emergency source of fluid[, , ]. It is said to be at least refreshing, though unpleasant and slimy to the taste[]

We have no more specific information for this species, but members of this genus are a valuable resource in the dry regions where they are native, and they are generally much utilised for food by native peoples. These uses are likely to include:-
The cooked buds and flowers have a flavour somewhat like that of Brussels sprouts. Sometimes the buds were eaten fresh, although they are bitter unless cooked[].
The seeds are rich in oil and protein, and can be ground into an oily paste[].
The stems of barrel cacti are traditionally baked in a pit, and the cooked pulp sliced and eaten[]. Sometimes this pulp is mixed with sugar or other sweeteners and made into a candy[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but members of this genus are a valuable resource in the dry regions where they are native, and they are often utilised by native peoples. These uses are likely to include:-
The plants have been used as cooking vessels. The interior is scooped out and mashed, and the liquid thus obtained replaced in the cavity and heated with hot stones, after which food is placed in the liquid and cooked[].
Several species develop tough spines and, after straightening out the tips and reducing the thicker part, these can be used as toothpicks and needles for knitting stockings etc[].

Propagation

Seed -

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