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Superdomain: Neomura
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Diaphoretickes
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Streptophyta
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Polysporangiophytes
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Caryophyllidae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Kroenleinia
Species: K. grusonii
Gruson-Gewächshäuser / Klosterbergegarten
Magdeburg / Germany
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Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion, is a species of barrel cactus which is endemic to east-central Mexico.
It is rare and endangered in the wild, where it is found near Mesa de León in the state of Querétaro, and in the state of Hidalgo. The population was critically reduced in the 1990s, by the creation of the Zimapán Dam and reservoir in Hidalgo. The cactus grows in volcanic rock on slopes, at altitudes around 1,400 metres (4,600 ft).
Taxonomy
Kroenleinia grusonii was originally placed in the small genus Echinocactus, which together with the related genus Ferocactus, are commonly referred to as barrel cacti. The species was first described by German plantsman Heinrich Hildmann in 1891 and named for German industrialist and cactus collector Hermann Gruson. While sometimes referred to as golden ball, this species is not to be confused with Notocactus leninghausii which have fuzzy, harmless spines and are native to Brazil and Paraguay.
Recent phylogenetic studies have found that Echinocactus grusonii is probably polyphyletic with respect to the rest of Echinocactus, and is probably derived from hybrids between Echinocactus and Ferocactus. To correct this, Echinocactus grusonii has been moved to its own genus, and under this scheme the correct name would be Kroenleinia grusonii Lodé. However, not all authorities have accepted this move so far.
Description
Growing as a large roughly spherical globular in shape, generally solitary, although basal shoots may sprout from adult specimens, Kroenleinia grusonii may eventually reach over 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height after many years with a diameter of 40 to 80 centimeters. The duration of a generation is estimated at 10 years. Younger Golden Barrel plants do not look similar to mature specimens. The generation lifetime is estimated to be 30 years.
There may be up to 21-35 pronounced ribs in mature plants, though they are not evident in young plants, which may have a knobbly appearance.The areoles are yellow woolly when the plant is young, then whitish and finally greyish. The sharp spines are long, straight or slightly curved, and various shades of yellow or, occasionally, white. They are large and are 1 or 2 cm apart from each other. The radial spines are arranged in numbers between 8 and 10, and measure more than 3 cm in length. The central ones, between 3 and 5, measure about 5 cm; They are strong, striated and straight, although the central ones may be slightly curved downwards.
Small yellow flowers appear in summer around the crown of the plant, but only after twenty years or so. They are 4 to 6 centimeters long and 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter. The flowers only appear on older specimens and last 3 days. The spherical, somewhat elongated, greenish fruits are covered with white wool. They are 1.2 to 2 centimeters long and contain smooth, shiny brown seeds.
Cultivation
Kroenleinia grusonii is widely cultivated by specialty plant nurseries as an ornamental plant, for planting in containers, desert habitat gardens, rock gardens, and in conservatories.[5] A white-spined form, and a short-spined form, are also in cultivation.
It is one of the most popular cacti in cultivation and has increasingly become popular as an architectural accent plant in contemporary garden designs.[citation needed]
The cactus is considered easy and relatively fast growing in warmer climates around the world. The plants do have some basic requirements; an average minimum winter temperature of 12 °C (53.6 °F); and good drainage with less watering in winter.[5] Excess water in cool periods may lead to rot. Golden Barrels are hardy to about −8 °C (15 °F) for brief periods.
Beyond Central Mexico, Kroenleinia grusonii specimens may also be seen in collections of desert plants in many botanical gardens. In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
in my neighbor’s front yard. This one is about 1 and half feet in diameter. This cactus is also jokingly called "mother-in-law's cushion".
Echinocactus grusonii or Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion. Species of barrel cactus which is endemic to east-central Mexico. Close-up.
Echinocactus grusonii or Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion. Species of barrel cactus which is endemic to east-central Mexico. Close-up.
Echinocactus grusonii or Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion. Species of barrel cactus which is endemic to east-central Mexico. Close-up.
Echinocactus grusonii or Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion. Species of barrel cactus which is endemic to east-central Mexico. Close-up.
origin: Mexico
EN: golden barrel cactus, golden ball, mother-in-law's cushion
ES: asiento de suegra, bola de oro, barril de oro, cactus erizo
cactus and succulent garden
orto botanico di Palermo
Palermo, Italy
20221007_132821
Golden barrel cactus, Echinocactus grusonii or Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion. Close-up.
Golden barrel cactus, Echinocactus grusonii or Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion. Close-up.
Golden barrel cactus, Echinocactus grusonii or Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion. Close-up.
Golden barrel cactus, Echinocactus grusonii or Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion. Close-up.
Golden barrel cactus, Echinocactus grusonii or Kroenleinia grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion. Close-up.
Echinocactus grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, Golden ball or Mother-in-law's cushion, is a well-known species of cactus, and is endemic to East-central Mexico. They have small bright yellow flowers that gave this specimen a staring personality. Cactualdea, the Cactus Park, near Tocodomán, San Nicolás de Tolentino, Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands, Spain.
Fruit of Golden Barrel, Golden Ball, Mother-in-Law's Cushion, Echinocactus grusonii, 3.3 ft / 1 m. high. RARE and ENDANGERED endemic in the wilds of Central Mexico. Ornamental and landscape in other areas. Lives to around years of age.
Casa Smiff, Marana, Pima County, Arizona, USA.
©bryanjsmith.
This large ball-shaped cactus is called "Barrel Cactus" (Echinocactus grusonii). It is generally found in the Southwest Desert of North America and can easily reach several feet in height at maturity. Its ribs are numerous and pronounced and the spines are long and can range in color from yellow to tan to red depending on the age of the plant and the genera.
Barrel cactus should be approached with extreme caution. A puncture to human skin from one of the spines is considered a dirty wound. Barrel cactus plants are one of the more dangerous cacti to humans in the desert.
