Illustration of barrel cactus
barrel cactus
noun
: any of a genus (Ferocactus) of nearly globular deeply ribbed spiny cacti of Mexico and the adjacent U.S.
also
: any of several similar cacti (genus Echinocactus)
Examples of barrel cactus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mexico built a hydroelectric dam, where these golden barrel cactuses live and in an instant their environment was destroyed and this species was almost wiped out.
—
Eyder Peralta, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
The trail begins among desert species like barrel cactus and creosote, followed by chaparral, scrub oak and manzanita.
—Dina Mishev Max Whittaker, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Hike through the Chihuahuan Desert and spot the Southwestern barrel cactus, ocotillo, yucca, and other plants.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2024
Towering saguaro cactuses are collapsing from the heat, and the agaves, creosote bushes, and stubby barrel cactuses that spangle highways are turning yellow.
—Jack Healy, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2023
Among the plants that first dazzled her were the many varieties of aloes, agaves and barrel cactus.
—Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2023
Rain-swollen barrel cactus are plump as baby walruses.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 26 Sep. 2022
For instant impact, plant durable barrel cactus.
—Sunset Magazine, 3 Aug. 2020
In addition to jumping cholla, the pair tested golden barrel cactus, brittle prickly pear and a few other common cactus species.
—Alison Klesman, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2018
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Eyder Peralta, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
The trail begins among desert species like barrel cactus and creosote, followed by chaparral, scrub oak and manzanita.
—Dina Mishev Max Whittaker, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Hike through the Chihuahuan Desert and spot the Southwestern barrel cactus, ocotillo, yucca, and other plants.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2024
Towering saguaro cactuses are collapsing from the heat, and the agaves, creosote bushes, and stubby barrel cactuses that spangle highways are turning yellow.
—Jack Healy, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2023
Among the plants that first dazzled her were the many varieties of aloes, agaves and barrel cactus.
—Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2023
Rain-swollen barrel cactus are plump as baby walruses.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 26 Sep. 2022
For instant impact, plant durable barrel cactus.
—Sunset Magazine, 3 Aug. 2020
In addition to jumping cholla, the pair tested golden barrel cactus, brittle prickly pear and a few other common cactus species.
—Alison Klesman, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Barrel cactus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrel%20cactus. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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