Common Name:

General Information

Ferocactus macrodiscus is a spiny, succulent, evergreen, barrel cactus, producing a single, disk-shaped stem that is usually flat and set well into the soil; it can be up to 10cm tall and 30 - 40cm in diameter with a strong taproot[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].
Ferocactus macrodiscus has a limited geographic range and is known from less than 10 locations. This species is very habitat specific and only occurs sporadically within its range, in addition its population is declining due to habitat reduction. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - central Mexico (Tamaulipas to Oaxaca)

Habitat

Dry grasslands and oak (Quercus) forest; at elevations from 2,300 - 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The pulp inside the stem is used for making candy[].

Fruit - raw or cooked[].. The fresh fruits are edible, but very acidic or sour[]. The irregularly globose, magenta coloured fruit is up to 4cm 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[].
The candied pulp of the stem of various barrel cacti makes an excellent sweetmeat, which is much used in Mexico and the southwestern United States, and is sold in the eastern United States as ‘cactus 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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