Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Emory´s barrel cactus, Long spined barrel cactus, Straight spine barrel

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus)

Distribution: Mexico

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Life form: Succulent plant

Comments: Produce nectar in the nectaries at the top of the cactus that feed the ants that live around its base. In turn, the ants seem to protect the plants from other insects that might try to walk up the stem and damage the fresh, delicate cells at the growing apex or steal nectar or pollen from the flowers.