Gold in the Golden Barrel Cactus

 

Common as a landscape plant in the low desert of Arizona, the Golden Barrel Cactus or Echinocactus grusonii, can grow in clumps of dozens of individual cactus. As described in Wikipedia, Echinocactus grusonii, the cactus is rare in the wild.

Echinocactus grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's cushion, is a well known species of cactus, and is endemic to east-central Mexico.

It is rare and endangered in the wild, where it is found near Mesa de León in the state of Querétaro, and in the state of Hidalgo. The population was critically reduced in the 1990s, by the creation of the Zimapán Dam and reservoir in Hidalgo. The cactus grows in volcanic rock on slopes, at altitudes around 1,400 metres (4,600 ft).