Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus

Scientific Name: Ferocactus latispinus ssp. latispinus (Haw.) Britton & Rose
Synonym: Bisnaga cornigera, Bisnaga recurva, Bisnaga recurva ssp. latispina , Cactus latispinus, Cactus nobilis, Cactus recurvus, Echinocactus corniger, Echinocactus cornigerus, Echinocactus cornigerus, Echinocactus cornigerus, Echinocactus nobilis, Echinocactus recurvus var. latispinus , Echinocactus recurvus, Ferocactus cylindraceus var. greenwoodiae , Ferocactus nobilis, Ferocactus recurvus var. greenwoodii , Ferocactus recurvus, Mammillaria latispina, Melocactus latispinus
Family: Cactaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 11-13

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 25°F (-4°C)

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and south)

Growth Habits: Globular cactus, 10 to 16 inches in diameter (25 to 40 cm); 14 to 23 ribs, large areoles, grey to blackish, with 4 large central spines, the lowest central is wider; 6 to 12 1-inch long radials. The lowest central thorn is wider.

Watering Needs: Little to moderate water when established

Propagation: Seeds

As Echinocactus cornigerus in K. Schumann "Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen"

Ferocactus latispinus is fairly popular in cultivation because it blooms very early, many young plants will bloom when they reach 4 inches in diameter (10 cm).

Blooming Habits:
The Devil's Tongue Barrel has pinkish purple or yellow flowers, 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter (2.5 to 3.5 cm). They come in late autumn to early winter, and need a fair amount of bright sunlight to form.