Aged specimens of this species form rather rumpled-looking old barrel cacti of impressive stature to 1 m across and twice that in height. Seedlings are taut-skinned, glaucous-bodied, tuberculate gems. Their slow growth (our seed was sown Aug. 28, 2002, producing seedlings now about 4 cm in diameter) gradually results in a greener barrel cactus—often with purple banding during adolescence—that eventually becomes a fine landscape specimen in suitable climates (it can withstand frost to 20° F or lower). Plants from seed of HBG 21572, E.F. Anderson 1694, collected Jan. 16, 1961, ca. 1 mile SW of Rayones, Nuevo León, Mexico. HBG 121675. $6.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 79 (2), March - April, 2007