barrel cactus \bar"rel cac"tus\ (b[a^]r"r[e^]l k[a^]k"t[u^]s),
n.; pl. {barrel cacti} (b[a^]r"r[e^]l k[a^]k"t[imac]).
any of several large cacti native to the southwestern U. S.
and Mexico, having a short cylindrical form with deep
vertical ribs and bearing sharp spines. They are classed in
the genera {Ferocactus} and {Echinocactus}.
[PJC] Barreled