On the cover. Ferocactus pilosus is among the largest of the genus. It can reach 3 m in height and clumps to form truly massive specimens. Most plants have bright red spines with bristlelike, white radials-a wonderful contrast-but some populations also boast yellow-spined individuals, and the white bristles are occasionally absent. Such variation has led to establishment of several names for this species. Widespread and common across the high desert plateau of central northern Mexico, it is most often seen on rocky limestone hillsides. Julia Etter and Martin Kristen captured this closeup showing the species' rather small, narrow flowers, which vary in color, much like the spines, between yellow and red. |  | |||||||||||||||||||
