The “Biznaga” or Barrel cactus (Ferocactus spp.), native to arid regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States, produces a vibrant yellow-to-red fruit known for its tart flavor and nutritional value. Traditionally consumed by Indigenous communities, the fruit is rich in vitamin C and can be eaten raw or used in jams and beverages.
However, due to overharvesting and habitat degradation, the barrel cactus is now on the verge of extinction. In 2025, Mexican environmental authorities officially listed it as a protected species under NOM-059-SEMARNAT, making the sale and commercial purchase of its fruit illegal nationwide. This measure aims to curb unsustainable exploitation and preserve the cactus’s ecological role in desert ecosystems.
The cactus plays a vital role in supporting pollinators and small wildlife, and its slow growth—taking decades to mature—makes recovery difficult once populations decline. Conservationists urge the public to avoid buying or consuming barrel cactus fruit from markets and instead support cultivation efforts and habitat restoration.
While the fruit remains edible, its legal protection underscores the urgent need to balance cultural traditions with environmental stewardship. The barrel cactus now stands as a symbol of Mexico’s fragile biodiversity and the importance of responsible conservation.
In Mexico, chile en nogada is one of the most iconic dishes to enjoy in the montn of September. But one key ingredient —the candied fruit of the barrel cactus — is now illegal to buy – because its on the verge of extinction. However, traditions in Mexico are very hard to break, and the famous “Biznaga” is now for sale in the black market.
Sources: SEMARNAT, CONABIO, NPR
