Relocation Packet

Barrel Cactus

Barrel Cactus flowers always grow at the top of the plant. Fruits become fleshy and often juicy when mature, but are not usually considered edible.

Native Americans boiled young flowers in water to eat like cabbage and mashed older boiled flowers for a drink.

They also used the cactus as a cooking pot by cutting off the top, scooping out the pulp and inserting hot stones together with food.

The spines were used as needles and in tattooing.