Barrel Cactus

desert · plants · survival

Super thick and round. Barrel cacti look like giant green barrels sitting in the sand. They have a squat, round shape that helps them survive in the hot desert by storing water in their thick flesh.

Water storage experts. These cacti can absorb huge amounts of rainwater and store it inside to last through long dry periods. They swell up when it rains and shrink when it's dry, like nature's water bottles.

Found in the Southwest. Barrel cacti grow wild in the deserts of Arizona, California, and Mexico, with the biggest ones living in the Sonoran Desert. Some can get as tall as a person and live for over 100 years.

Colorful flower tops. These cacti bloom with bright yellow or red flowers that grow right out of their tops, attracting bees and other desert animals. The flowers only bloom for a short time each year.

Spine survival tool. Barrel cacti are covered in sharp spines that protect them from hungry desert animals and also help shade the plant from the intense sun.