This rounded pale green cactus has angled ribs and becomes elongated with age. It has up to 35 sharply angled ribs with ridges that are lined with golden yellow to white spines. The yellow funnel-shaped flowers appear during spring in the woolly crown.

Hardiness zones 9 to 12 

Echinocactus grusonii is naturally found in central Mexico (Queretaro) in desert areas, growing in very well drained moderately fertile sandy stony soils. It prefers an open sunny position and tolerates drought and high temperatures but is frost tender.

The Golden Barrel Cactus is grown for its rounded habit and colour and is planted in arid gardens or cactus collections. It is also used as a container plant for courtyards or in a glasshouse in cool climates. It is slow growing tacking 10 years to reach 260mm (10¼ in) diameter and seldom produces offsets. In its natural habitat is regarded as endangered. ID 1825

Note:
Moderately water during summer, but take care as the plant rots easily in wet soils particularly during winter. 

Echinocactus (ee-KYN-o-kak-tus) grusonii (groo-SO-nee-eye)

Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)