Organisms Identification Manual: For The Western United States - Peyton Edwards - 21

Biznaga (Johnston’s Barrel): Ferocactus

johnstonianus
Range: Biznaga can be found at Angel de
la Guarda around the Sea of Cortez.

Typical Size: The Biznaga can grow up to

39 inches tall.

Distinguishing/Key Features: Spines

grow tightly together and originally are
golden but they turn grey and brown with
age.

Habitat: Biznaga thrive in well-drained soil

where they can get lots of sun.

Interesting Observations: The spines are so closely grown together that they appear to
interlock.

Interesting Facts: The Biznaga can only reproduce with seeds.

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Black Spine Agave: Agave macroacantha

Range: Central Mexico

Typical Size: 4 feet.

Distinguishing/Key Features:
Purplish green agave with black
pines.

Habitat: Dry desert slopes.

Interesting Observations: The

agaves usually grew in clusters.
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Buffelgrass: Cenchrus ciliaris

Range: Buffelgrass is native to Africa but was brought over to North America and is now found
throughout the Sonoran Desert.

Typical Size: Buffelgrass is 1 to 3

feet tall.

Distinguishing/Key Features:
A golden-brown bush that grows all
over desert areas.

Habitat: Buffelgrass is found

throughout the Sonoran Desert.

Interesting Observations: The

tips of the plant have seed pods that
can be easily spread if removed
from the plant.

Interesting Facts: Buffelgrass

was brought from Africa for cattle forage but the cattle prefered the native plants. Beffelgrass
soon spread and is now considered an invasive species.
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Cardon/Golden Cereus Hybrid: Pachgerocactus

orcuttii
Range: The Cardon can be found in Baja
California and into Mexico.

Typical Size: Size varies.

Distinguishing/Key Features: The hybrid has

the column structure of a Cardon but the spinal
color of the Golden Cereus.

Habitat: Desert regions.

Interesting Observations: The spines of the

hybrid point outward from the angle that they sit.
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Cowboy Whiskers Prickly Pear: Opuntia aciculata

Range: The Cowboy Whiskers
Prickly Pear is native to Texas.

Typical Size: The average Cowboy

Whiskers Prickly Pear is 3 feet tall.

Distinguishing/Key Features:
Round patches of bristly spines.

Habitat: The Cowboy Whiskers

Prickly Pear can be found in deserts.

Interesting Observations: The

spines on the cactus are bunched
together in circle clusters.