Barrel Cactus

Accepted name: Echinocactus horizonthalonius

Common Name: Devil's Head, Turk's Head, Eagle's Claw, Blue Barrel Cactus

Native to: Northern Mexico and Southwestern United States (including Texas) 

Description: Grey-green to blue-green, Around 12" tall and wide, vertical ribs curve around the stem with age, 5-10 spines per areole, white to yellow wooly hairs, bright pink  flowers spring to summer depending on location and rainfall, followed by pinkish-red fruit

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11 (minimum temperature 14°)

Notes: It does not usually produce offsets. Propagate by seed. Very slow-growing cactus. Prefers limestone soils.

*Echinocactus horizonthalonius var. nicholii (Nichol's Turk's Head Cactus) is an endangered variety.

Accepted name: Homalocephala texensis

Synonym (relevant): Echinocactus texensis

Common name: Horse Crippler 

Native to: Mexico, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Height: up to 8"

Width: 12"

Bloom time: Spring

Bloom Color: Almost white/pale pink to medium pink or violet, usually with a dark pink to red throat

Fruit: Red

Cold Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10 (minimum temp. 0°-10°

Taxonomy resource used:

WFO (2025): Homalocephala texensis (Hopffer) Britton & Rose. Published on the Internet;http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0001289423. Accessed on: 02 Jan 2025