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Sclerocactus ("hard cactus", from Greek language; refers to the hard, dry fruit) is a genus of cactus. It comprises about 15 species, the exact number depending on the authority. These species are xerophytic. They are sometimes called 'fishhook cactus' or 'little barrels.'
These plants are found in higher elevation deserts such as on the Colorado Plateau, or in the Mohave Desert or the Great Basin. They are well suited to extremes due to lack of rainfall, hot summers and below freezing winters.
The little barrel cactus typically grows in areas where water flows irregularly or depressions where water can accumulate for short periods of time. They are most often found growing along washes and arroyos where their seeds have been subjected to scarification due to water movement, but they oddly also tend to grow along ridges in spots where depressions have formed and can hold water for some period of time.
The sometimes hooked or curved spines and the armored web of spines enclosing the cactus body in species of this genus is an adaptation which allows the plant to move to more favorable locations. This plants seeds germinate in areas where water movement occurs or in areas where standing water accumulates for some period of time, and during flash floods, the hooked spines allow the plants to be caught on water borne debris and be uprooted and carried to areas where water tends to accumulate. A large percentage of plants in habitat show signs of water debris damage along the stems which has healed and are found growing on their sides in places where floodwaters have deposited them. The habitat these plants exist in is very arid, and the plants have adapted to exploit water movement to concentrate their biomass in areas where water is likely to be present.
the following species are recognized in the genus ''Sclerocactus '' by Plants of the World Online:
| S. Colorado to N. & Central New Mexico |
| Colorado. |
| Utah to W. Colorado and N. Arizona. |
| Arizona (NE. Coconino County) |
| NE. Utah |
| SE. Utah to NE. Arizona |
| Central Utah. |
| Nevada (N. Mojave Desert) |
| eastern California and southern Nevada |
| E. Nevada to W. Utah |
| Utah |
| E. Nevada to W. Utah |
| SE. California to SW. Utah and NW. Mexico |
| SW. Texas to Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León) |
| E. Central Arizona to W. Texas |
| E. Central Arizona to W. Texas |
| NE. Mexico |
| W. Texas to Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila) |
They undergo most of their growth in spring and benefit from moderate fertilizer in cultivation. They prefer mineral-rich, sandy soils. They are tolerant of overwatering provided they are grown in small pots that drain and dry out quickly. They do best out of doors do well in full sun. They are not particularly attractive plants and their vicious hooked spines are a hazard, making them poor houseplants. Like Pediocactus, Sclerocactus "deflate" in late fall in preparation for winter and freezing; they push water out of the plant flesh, through the roots, and into the soil, dramatically decreasing in size. They require deep cold and dormancy to bloom well.
Some species, such as S. parviflorus, produce large, showy flowers and put a short, but impressive floral display in early spring.
Sclerocactus seeds are difficult to germinate as they contain inhibitors, and require cold stratification, prolonged soaking, or scarification of the seeds to trigger germination. Seeds of members of this genus can take up to three years to germinate in some cases if not scarified or subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles in the presence of water. The plants are easy to maintain in cultivation but difficult to start from seed.
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