Attractive glaucous blue-green barrel cactus with yellow flowers and spines. Sharp, well-defined ribs are armed with spines that are not easily distinguished as central or radial. May be solitary or clumping. From Hidalgo, Mexico.

Flowers at around 6 inches wide, not including spines. May be somewhat self fertile. Grown from seed. Enjoys a little extra space in containers, compared to many Ferocacti. Can grow to 18 inches high and 20 inches in diameter after many years. Provide strong light and excellent drainage in cultivation. Branches may emerge relatively late in life (after more than a decade) and their emergence seems to be seasonal here (late summer).

This species and two others were recently moved from Ferocactus to Bisnaga based on genetic analysis. The word biznaga (various spellings) is a common name referring to a number of spiny, usually globular cacti. It derives from a Nahuatl word, huitznahuac, meaning surrounded by spines.

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