Ferocactus viridescensCacti in the genus Ferocactus are often referred to as barrel cacti, and some

Ferocactus viridescens

Cacti in the genus Ferocactus are often referred to as barrel cacti, and some of them are quite barrel-like in size, but Ferocactus viridescens is a smaller plant, typically less than a foot in diameter (30 cm). The name “viridescens” means “becoming green”, and this refers to the flowers, which may be yellow, yellowish-green, or yellow with a purplish midstripe, as seen in the photos above. This plant grows in the San Diego area in southern California, and also southward into northwestern Baja California. It is a rare example of a cactus restricted to winter-rainfall habitats, a trait it has in common with some cacti from central Chile.

-Brian