The 2 1/2 inch (6.35 cm) wide flowers have numerous narrow tepals and are followed by edible, but sour yellow fruits. Ground squirrels and other desert rodents are very fond of the fruit. The large, stout main spines are reddish and downcurved. The barrel-shaped stem leans to face southward. The showy flowers ring the tops of the barrel-shaped cacti. These plump cacti eventually grow too tall and heavy for their roots to support, and they will then fall over and slowly die.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.
Location: Alongside main road of Sabino Canyon .6 mile from Visitor Center
9/18/15

Notes: Sabino Canyon beside Bear Canyon trail 0.1 mile from Visitor Center 9/15/19

See SEINet Pictures and Description

See FireFly Forest Pictures and Description