‘Echino’ translates to ‘spiny’; so the genus name of barrel cactus, Echinocactus grusonii, means ‘spiny cactus’. Duh! The nearly spherical and furrowed (ribbed) plants are completely covered with stout and dangerously sharp spines. The most popular variety, known as golden barrel cactus, has pale amber yellow spines. Another variety has white spines. Tan or ruddy spines are rare.
Growth is quite slow. It takes many years for plants to get to three feet tall. Only plants that are quite mature bloom in spring or early summer with bright yellow or orange flowers that develop in a circle, like a halo around the top of the plant. Pink or red flowers are rare. Old plants typically develop a few pups (side-shoots), which may likewise take many years to bloom.
Like most cacti, barrel cactus wants a warm and very sunny location, and very well drained soil. If they do not get watered too much, they can stay potted for many years. However, because they are so nasty, they are not too welcome on porches or patios where most potted plants live. Because they are so heavy and difficult to handle, they are not as portable as they should be.
Tony Tomeo 
I know the meaning of Echinops now, so thank you! That always looked strange before – one of those words I have to double check because I look at what I’ve written and think ‘that must be wrong!’
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That is more than I know about it. ‘Echino’ just means ‘hedgehog’ . . . and I don’t know what a hedgehog is. Whatever it is, the ‘hedgehog cactus’ is name after it. ‘Ops’ just means ‘head’,
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I love the look of these. In spite of their prickliness, they always look good humored to me, though I imagine that might change with handling.
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They look silly out in the desert near Palm Springs. They sit on the side of the highway like they are waiting for a bus.
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See, that’s what I mean. There’s something that makes you anthropomorphize them.
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The small ones look even sillier wearing sunglasses.
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😉
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Barrel cactus are definitely among the coolest cacti. My favorite is the golden barrel cactus.
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Golden barrel cactus is probably the most common of the barrel cactus. I think that the same species is more intriguing with silvery spines.
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It’s important, though, not to sit on them, or to accidentally fall on one!
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Teddy bear cholla is much worse, with hooked spines!
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And cholla spines seem to fly off on their own to spike anyone who’s shoe comes anywhere close — no sandals allowed!
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Jumping cholla looks like it is jumping, but it makes those who get to close to it jump.
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I think I first saw it at the Huntington Gardens and was very impressed.
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They definitely make a bold statement.
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