Barrel Cactus

A ribbed desert survivor that can store hundreds of liters of water/Plants

Barrel cacti (Ferocactus and Echinocactus genera) are large, cylindrical cacti native to the deserts of North America. Their accordion-like ribs allow them to expand and contract as they absorb and use water, functioning like a living water tank. A large barrel cactus can store several hundred liters of moisture in its spongy tissue. The fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni) develops a pronounced lean toward the south or southwest, earning it the nickname 'compass cactus.' Their thick, hooked spines provide shade, reduce air flow near the skin to minimize water loss, and channel rain toward the roots. Some species can live for over 100 years.