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Compass Barrel cactus |
The barrel cactus is one of the most common cacti in the Southwest.
There are four different species common to this area of the country,
the most common of which are the compass barrel and
the California barrel. It can be extremely difficult to distinguish
between these two common species of barrels. In southern Arizona, such
as around Tucson, the compass barrel is the most common of the two
cacti. In central Arizona such as around Phoenix, southern California,
and even into the depths of the Grand Canyon the California barrel
cactus is the most common. Their ranges overlap in central Arizona and
their similarities are pretty extensive. Without closer investigation
you may not be able to determine what specific species a particular
barrel is, there are however a few differences that may help in
identification. First off is shape. Of course, barrel cacti are all
sort of barrel shaped. The compass barrel is a little more wide and
plump than the California barrel. The California barrel is a little
skinnier. The second way to distinguish between the two is by looking
at the spines. Both have very interesting spines which are often red
colored. This red coloration gives a sharp contrast to the dark green
of the cacti's body, especially after a rare rainfall. Both cacti also
have flattened central spines that have a ribbing pattern on them. The
central spines are also hooked, giving both cacti another common name of
fishhook barrels. Compass barrel cacti spines are however considerably
more hooked than California barrels. Compass barrel central spines are
a full "fishhook" shape and were in-fact used as fishhooks by some
Native Americans. California barrel central spines are closer to a 90
degree curve than an actual fishhook. These are the best ways, though
not necessarily foolproof ways of distinguishing the two while out in
the desert.
In our next post we will talk about the leaning habit of barrel cacti.
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California barrel cactus front left of picture. |
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