Echinocactus platyacanthus Link & Otto
Giant barrel cactus
Stem grey-blue somewhat tuberculate and nice when small, whilst large plants are heavily ribbed with numerous areoles forming a continuous line 05- 25 m high, 40 - 80 cm in diameter ribs 5-20 in young plants, later increasing to 30-60 or more, acute, vertically oriented, more or less tuberculate and nice when small, later Hight and even-edged ribs elliptical to linear and continuous in mature plants radial spines 4-8 spreading, central spines 3-4 spreading flowers yellow fruits oblong yellowish, 3-8 cm long
Ornamental. food and medicinal.
The flower buds are especially popular as a food, being sold in local markets, and there is a large industry making candy from the flesh of the stems. The importance of this species increases with the aridity of the land in which it grows and its inadequacy for agriculture.
Echinocactus ingens Zucc ex Pfeiff
.The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and Mazhar Botanic Garden does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
