Ferocactus cylindraceus is a species of barrel cactus which is known by several common names  including California barrel cactus and miner's compass. This cactus is usually cylindrical or spherical  with some older specimens forming columns two meters in height. It is covered in long  plentiful spines  which are straight and red when new and become curved and gray as they age. It bears bright yellow flowers with red or yellow centers on the side that faces the sun. The fleshy  hollow fruits are yellow. This cactus is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.