Known as Biznaga (or Viznaga) Gigante, this is the largest of the Barrel Cacti and has an edible central pith. The species was sacred to the indigenous peoples of Mexico's central and southern highlands. Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix.
This species is rare in the wild, growing on volcanic rocks in central Mexico. It is common in gardens, however, in this case the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in MIchigan.