E. ingens ( = platyacanthus)

Description: it is a slowly growing massive barrel cactus usually solitary that grows huge in habitat ( up to 2,5 m tall , 1,5 m wide). It could live more than a hundred years. The stem is grey-blue ± tuberculate and nice when small, whilst large plants are heavily ribbed with numerous areoles forming a continuous line. Spines areblack.
Flowers:  from end of spring to summer only on larger mature specimens receiving enough full sun. They  are diurnal,  vivid yellow.
Mature specimens often have a somewhat sway-backed, saddle-shaped apex, densely covered in white wool, where their flowers emerge.

Note: Older specimens take on an oblong shape with age and can dominate a landscape because of their large size and impressive bulk. They also tend to lean to the south or southwest so that the spines can better protect the body of the plant from the harsh desert sun. In fact, desert travellers can use the plant as a compass.

Scientific Name: Echinocactus ingens Zuccarini ex Pfeiffer,
In: Enum. Diagn. Cact. 54., 1837

Distribution:  ranges over much of northeast and central Mexico.

Vernacular Names: Biznaga Gigante, Biznaga de Dulce; Giant Viznaga & Large Barrel
 

• Echinocactus platyacanthus Link et Otto 1827
• Echinocactus karwinskii
• Echinocactus helophorus
• Echinocactus visnaga
• Echinocactus palmeri
• Echinocactus grandis
• Echinocactus ingens f. aulocogonus (Lemaire) Schelle,
  Kakteen (Schelle) 189., 1926
• Echinocactus ingens f. helophorus K. Schumann
  Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 317, 1898
• Echinocactus ingens f. saltillensis K. Schumann
  Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 317, 1898
• Echinocactus ingens v. edulis Labouret,
  Monographie de la Famille des Cactees 193, 1853
• Echinocactus ingens v. grandis
  Monatsschrift fur Kakteenkunde 17: 116, 1907
• Echinocactus ingens v. irroratus Monville,
  Monographie de la Famille des Cactees 191, 1853
• Echinocactus ingens v. subinermis K. Schumann
  Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 317, 1898
• Echinocactus ingens v. visnaga K. Schumann,
  Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 317, 1898
• Echinocactus ingens v. viznaga (Hook.) K. Schumann
  Gesamtbeschr. Kakt. 317. as visnaga, 1898

Note: The juvenile Echinocactus look very different from the mature specimens. In fact like the other Echinocactus and Ferocactus seedlings, the rib structure is not yet apparent, and they have pronounced tubercles.   

Economical uses: This plants is used to prepare a traditional candy, the pith is boiled with sugar to produce a popular sweet called “dulce de biznaga” or "acitrón". In this case the overcollection of wild plant for making cactus candy is the major threat to the survival of this species.
This plants were also used by indigenous peoples of Mexico in many manner, for example the woolly hairs this plant produces have been used as filling fibres and weaving.

Culture: Frost tender but resistant to -4°C for short periods; Cold hardiness increases with improved drainage, so keep plants as dry as possible in winter. They grow best in well-drained soil and a position in full sun, which will help to maintain the lustre of the spines and longevity of the flowers. Provide the plant with extremely well-drained soils, as the plant are subject to crown and soft rot if it remains too moist. Besides, it performs wonderfully in containers, Container media should be coarse as well. Young plants are prone to mealy bug and red spider mite. Propagate from seed.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Echinocactus platyacanthus.

• Echinocactus platyacanthus
• Echinocactus ingens ( = platyacanthus)
• Echinocactus visnaga ( = platyacanthus)