Devil's Tongue Barrel Cactus

Ferocactus latispinus is a solitary barrel cactus native to the dry limestone hillsides and scrublands of central and southern Mexico. It grows slowly into a flattened globe, rarely exceeding a foot in height, armed with bold radial spines and a distinctive central spine that hooks downward and flushes deep red to purplish in strong light. In late autumn it produces small funnelform flowers in violet-pink or occasionally cream, appearing in a crown at the apex. A composed, architectural plant well suited to container culture or a raised xeric bed where drainage is uncompromising.