In Mexico, its hairs are often used for weaving; and acitrón, a traditional Mexican candy, is produced by boiling the cactus pith.

Previous records show that some specimens grow to almost 1.2 m (4 ft) in thickness.

[3] What is probably the largest barrel cactus living today is the one called "Goliat" at the "Area natural de Daxpe", in the municipio de Cadereyta, Querétaro State, Mexico.

[6] Their stems come in grayish blue color and the straight, rigid spines are black.

The apex of the cactus is flat and covered with a yellow felt-like substance.