Occasionally multiple heads will occur near the base of the main plant. Spines grayish to reddish, in dense clusters along ribs. Large, sharply hooked, flattened central spine to 2 inches long, surrounded by slender hairlike spines. Drawn toward direct sunlight. Instead of water, cactus is filled with slimy alkaline juice.
Yellow fruits persist all year, and are eaten by deer and rodents.
Flowers attract bees. Pulp used as basis for cactus candy. Native American used hook spines as fishhooks. Three species of Ferocactus in Arizona.