1. An unbranched barrel-shaped cactus having deep ribs with numerous spines and usually large funnel-shaped flowers followed by dry fruits (genus Ferocactus)
   "The barrel cactus stood like a sentinel in the desert landscape"
    
2. Any cactus of the genus Echinocactus; strongly ribbed and very spiny; southwestern United States to Brazil
   "The golden barrel cactus is a well-known species of echinocactus";
   - echinocactus

Derived forms: barrel cacti

Type of: cactus

Part of: Ferocactus, genus Echinocactus, genus Ferocactus

Encyclopedia: Barrel cactus