how many types of cacti are there

Which types of cacti can you eat?

What Types of Cacti Are Safe to Eat?

• Prickly Pear Cactus Pads. Of the edible Cacti available, Prickly Pear is king. ...
• Fishhook Barrel Cactus. The Fishhook Barrel Cactus is famous for its ability to provide an emergency water supply in small quantities.
• Cholla. Many varieties of Cholla have nutritious parts. ...
• Saguaro. Saguaros have ruby-red Cactus fruits that are only ripe in late June. ...

What are the different types of Christmas cactus?

What Are The Different Christmas Cactus Colors?

• Red Christmas Cacti. This plant has flowers of the truest red, but it is also an early bloomer so might not last up until the festive period.
• White and Yellow Cacti. The Thor Britt features white flowers with a slight touch of pink at the center of the petals and pink stamens.
• Pink and Purple Varieties. ...

What are the best indoor cactus plants?

Indoor Cactus Plants. 1. Christmas Cactus. crocus. Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii. The plant is best known for its pink flowers at the end of trailing foliage. As the name suggests, these spectacular blooms appear during December month. 2. African Milk Tree.

How many different species of cacti are there?

While those are a common breed of cactus, the cactus family of plants is much more varied than that. There are plenty of types of cacti that can add beauty to your home. In fact, scientists have discovered more than 2,000 species of cacti.

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How many cactus varieties are there?

Cactus (Cactaceae) - The Basics. Cactus have many different shapes. They are found around the world. There are about 2,000 different kinds of cactuses.

What is the most common type of cactus?

Growing a Saguaro Cactus The big size of this plant doesn't mean that you cannot grow it indoors or in your home garden. In fact, the cactus is among the most common indoor cacti plants in the United States and other parts of North America.

What are the 10 most popular cactus?

Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana)Bunny Ear Cactus (Opuntia microdasys)Blue Columnar Cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus)Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias)Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)Fairy Castle Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus)Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)Bottom Line.More items...

What is the rarest type of cacti?

Lophocereus Schotti— Totem Pole This rare cactus is native to the Baja California Peninsula and thrives in full sun in its original home.

What are tiny cactus called?

The star cactus (also called sea urchin cactus or starfish cactus) is a small plant, making it ideal for an indoor succulent garden. A yellow or white bloom is the showstopper on this petite cactus. Place it where it will get plenty of sun.

What is the tall skinny cactus called?

Pencil cactus is another beautiful plant that grows up to 6 feet indoors and 30 feet outdoors. The plant is native to India and Africa. You can use pencil cactus as a houseplant and maintain its height up to the ceiling height. It grows in a slender and toothed look with foliage which is not easily noticeable.

What is the ugliest cactus?

Was there ever a plant so ugly and ornery as the cactus? Take the creeping devil cactus, which looks to have crawled out of Night of the Living Dead. Or the horse crippler cactus, with its fearsome little daggers. And beware the bunny ears cactus, whose hairlike spines can cause stabbing sensations and swelling.

Is cactus a tree or plant?

Thus, a cactus is not a tree, it's a succulent, there are several cacti that are also considered flowering plants due to their ability to bloom. However, there is a tree, that looks like a cactus, also known as a tree-like cactus from the genus Carnegiea Britton, under the species name C.

Which is the most beautiful type of cactus?

10 Most Beautiful Cacti and SucculentsJade plant (Crassula ovata) ... Aloe vera. ... Pincushion cactus (Mammillaria crinita) ... Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) ... Zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata) ... Burro's tail (Sedum morganianum) ... Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x Buckleyi or Schlumbergera truncata)More items...

Are brain cactus rare?

This Rare Succulent Looks Like a Human Brain Aptly called the "brain cactus," the succulent is native to central Mexico, according to Succulent City. It's a rare form of the Mammillaria Elongata cactus, which typically grows straight.

What is the strangest cactus?

10 Weird Looking Succulents and CactiEspostoa melanostele 'Peruvian Old Lady Cactus'Kalanchoe rhombopilosa 'Pies from Heaven'Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing'Euphorbia mammillaris variegata 'Indian Corn Cob'Crassula 'Baby's Necklace'Echeveria 'Mauna Loa'Euphorbia obesa 'Baseball Plant'More items...•

Is Christmas cactus rare?

Schlumbergera buckleyi ( Christmas Cactus ) This Cactus is very rarely seen for sale these days in garden shops and nurseries and if you have recently bought a cactus labelled at 'Christmas Cactus' it is nearly always 99% a truncata and not a buckleyi.

How many types of cactus are there?

So, how many types of cactus are there ? The Cactaceae family consists of approximately 150 genera and 2,500 species found in different parts of the world. A significant number of these species are adapted to growing in arid environments, although some of them are native to rainforests and tropical climate. Most of them have reduced leaves that are modified into spines and photosynthetic stems.

What is the classification of a cactus?

Classifications of a Cactus Plant. Classification refers to the process of listing an organism or plant into different groups to which it belongs. The classification starts from the highest group, which is the Kingdom to the lowest group; the species. As you move from the top group (kingdom) to the lowest group (species), ...

How tall does a bunny cactus grow?

The plant looks comical thanks to its large green pads that resemble a rabbit’s ears. An indoor bunny cactus can grow to a height of 60cm. However, just like most cacti, the bunny cactus is slow-growing and will take some years to reach the maximum height.

What kingdom is a cactus in?

Since a cactus is a plant, it falls into Kingdom Plantae. This is the highest group in our classification, and there nothing unique about it except for the fact that it houses all plants.

Where do Christmas cactus grow?

Christmas Cactus. One of the most popular types of cacti is the Christmas cactus that is native to the tropical rainforest of Brazil. This plant is in the Schlumbergera family. Christmas cactus doesn’t have true leaves but its long, flat stems extend to form leaf-like structures.

Where do cactus grow?

Saguaro. The final cactus on our list of top five common types of cacti is the saguaro plant that is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Although this plant is slow-growing, it can reach a height of 60 feet and can be used as a good indoor plant for many years before the need to move it outdoors.

What are areoles on a cactus?

These are small hair-like structures and occur in almost all cacti species. Areoles are modified branches from which other branches, leaves, and flowers grow. Cacti plants can easily be distinguished from other succulent plants by the presence of areoles on their surface.

What are the different types of cacti?

However, it is important to take a note of some of the more generic names that you might come across these are likely to include: Ladyfinger cactus. Old lady cactus.

How many limbs does a cactus have?

When many people picture a cactus, they see that iconic barrel cactus with two limbs. While those are a common breed of cactus, the cactus family of plants is much more varied than that.

What is the lowest temperature a cactus can survive?

For a majority of cacti, the lowest temperature they are able to survive at is freezing (~32 degrees Fahrenheit). In a general sense, though, the lowest temperature a cactus will be able to survive at depends greatly upon the species. However, there are some cacti that can truly survive in sub-zero habitats.

Why do cacti die?

The most common cause of cactus death is typically due to excessive amounts of moisture in the soil, often the result of overwatering. Because cacti often do not need as much water when compared to other flowering plants, it is easy to overestimate how much water they need. It is also possible for cacti to die from low temperatures, though some species are able to survive extremely low temperatures.

How big does a Christmas cactus grow?

This houseplant grows to between six and 12 inches tall and six to 18 inches wide. The exact size of your Christmas Cactus may vary depending on the size of the pot. Like most cacti, this plant is drought tolerant and doesn’t need much maintenance. The plant itself costs between five and 15 dollars.

What color are Easter cactus blooms?

The blooms on the Easter Cactus can be red, white, peach, orange, and even lavender. Unlike other cacti, this plant like a little humidity. If you live in a dry area, be sure to add a little moisture to your home for this cactus. You can do this by putting the plant on a water-filled saucer.

Where are cactus found in the US?

In the Southwest part of the United States, cacti are abundant. In fact, Arizona’s Saguaro National Park is named for the “ King of the Cactus ,” or the Saguaro cactus. This towering plant can grow over 60 feet tall and has several smaller branches coming off one giant column.

How Many Types of Cacti Are There?

There are more than 2000 reported cacti species which belong to about 139 genera. The most popular ones include the Angel Wings Cactus, Barrel Cactus, Star Cactus, Prickly Pear Cactus and the Mexican Fencepost Cactus!

What is a Christmas cactus?

The Christmas Cactus is a graceful and aesthetically pleasing houseplant that you will never regret owning! They generously bloom and produce delicate fuchsia and white symmetrical flowers. It boasts dark green stems where the flowers will erupt. At times, hybrids of this plant can even have red, purple and yellow flowers. Isn’t that fascinating?

What is the old lady cactus?

The Old Lady Cactus is a prickly houseplant that people adore because of its adorable pink flowers!

How tall is a Mexican fencepost cactus?

If you treat this plant well, it can reach up to a height of twenty feet or more , making it a perfect choice for your garden. The succulent got its name because it was used in Mexico to build a living fence.

How tall does a star cactus grow?

The Star Cactus is a round cactus which can grow up to a height of 2 inches it has beautiful yellow blooms with tints of orange and red!

What is the name of the cactus that has a wing?

The Angel Wing Cactus has other common names too, like Bunny Ear Cactus. The eccentric plant will never bother you by being fussy but will instead charm others effortlessly! This uncomplicated plant has thick pads which are laced with short bristles that resemble bunny ears. Apart from that, it will surprise you with charming yellow flowers every year.

Why is the peanut cactus called a cast?

The Peanut Cactus is referred to as a peanut cast because it has several stems shaped like long peanuts in a cluster formation!

How many species of cactus are there?

The cactus is from the plant family of the Cactaceae. There are about 300 genera and 3,000 species. The family has many well-known species because they are easy to keep alive as a houseplant and are seen as decorative. The plants can be classified according to their shapes.

Where do cactus grow?

This genus occurs in the tropics of Southern Mexico, Central America, Northern South America, the Caribbean and even Florida. Examples of Acanthocereus cacti: Acanthocereus tetragonus ‘Fairy Castle Cactus’ ‘.

What are some examples of arcrojadoa cacti?

Fruits are small juicy berries – pink, purple or red. Examples of Arrojadoa cacti: Arrojadoa dinae. Arrojadoa rhodantha.

How many ribs does an Acanthocereus have?

Acanthocereus. Acanthocereus species are primarily sprawling or shrubby plants often with arching stems. These stems are distinctly angled with between 3 and 5 ribs although possibly only 2 or as many as 7 in rare cases and may or may not be segmented.

What is the function of a cactus?

Cactus belongs to the succulents’ group, plants that can absorb and store large amounts of water in their plant body and roots. In this way they can go without water for extremely long periods. The thorns also have a similar function. They can absorb dew and thus provide extra moisture.

Where do succulents grow?

This is characteristic of cacti and family characteristics. Most cacti are native to North, Central and South America.

Where does the acanthocalycium come from?

Acanthocalycium is a genus of cactus consisting of several species from Argentina. The taxon name comes from Greek akantha and kalyx, which refers to the spines on the floral tubes. These plants are globose to elongate, with numerous ribs on the spiny stems.

How Many Types of Cacti Are There?

There are approximately 2,500 known species of cactus plants. These can range in color, size, and preferred region. Some cacti are native to rain-forests while others prefer tropical climates, but most of these sturdy plants are desert-dwellers.

Where Are Cacti Most Commonly Found?

The cactus is native to North, South, and Central America. These slow-growing, toughened plants are often seen in arid climates or regions with poor soil conditions. Though, they can survive virtually anywhere. No plant makes the best out of a bad situation like the cactus!

What is a Cactus?

A cactus is a succulent belonging to the Cactaceae plant family. Cacti can come in various forms, but at their most basic, they consist of a water-storing body and areoles. The sharp spines that cacti are known for growing out of areoles. These are growths on the plant’s body, can also sprout flowers.

What Is the Most Common Type of Cactus?

Containing 1,800 of the plant’s 2,500 species, you’re far more likely to find Opuntia and Cactoid cactus plants than Pereskia or Maijuenia. There are many types of cacti in the Opuntia and Cactoid groups. The genus of cactus plants is often referred to rather than the species.

How many species of cactus are there in the world?

Containing 1,800 of the plant’s 2,500 species, you’re far more likely to find Opuntia and Cactoid cactus plants than Pereskia or Maijuenia. There are many types of cacti in the Opuntia and Cactoid groups. The genus of cactus plants is often referred to rather than the species.

Why are cactus dangerous?

Cacti can be dangerous due to their sharp spines, though they’re not poisonous. With over 2,000 cactus types, some have learned to defend themselves. Spines can be barbed, hooked, or easily broken, staying in the skin and causing irritation.

What is a succulent cactus?

A cactus is a succulent belonging to the Cactaceae plant family. Cacti can come in various forms, but at their most basic, they consist of a water-storing body and areoles. The sharp spines that cacti are known for growing out of areoles. These are growths on the plant’s body, can also sprout flowers.

Wondering what the different types of cacti there are? Check out our comprehensive guide on all you need to know about these plants!

Kiersten lives in New Orleans, LA and graduated with her masters degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University in 2019.

Ferocactus: Barrel Cactus

The Barrel Cactus, cheekily nicknamed the ‘Mother-in-Law’s Cushion’ is a round-shaped cactus with pointy thorns on all sides. The Barrel Cactus prefers to stay under bright, direct sunlight to ensure proper growth and doesn’t require a lot of watering. It also has pretty red and yellow flowers that bloom during the summer.

Gymnocalycium: Chin Cactus

A Chin Cactus is an indoor plant, called the ‘Naked Kalyx’ in Greek. This given name refers to the naked appearance of the plant, since it doesn’t have spines or hair on it. This succulent is a beautiful dark green shade that produces pink blooms, perfect for creating a stunning contrast in your home.

Schlumbergera Bridgesii: Christmas Cactus

This indoor cactus variety blooms with a beautiful contrast of red and green, like Christmas––hence the name! When well cared for, it can live a whopping 100 years. It’s also––contrary to many assumptions––not native to the desert.

Schlumbergera Truncata: Thanksgiving Cactus

Thanksgiving time every year and continue to bloom pink flowers well into the winter. Largely because this succulent plant prefers colder climates to thrive. However, the Thanksgiving cacti performs poorly in frosty climates, so be sure to do your research before getting one, especially if you live in places that are, well, frosty!

Hatiora Gaertneri: Easter Cactus

Another variety of the famous holiday cacti family is the beautiful Easter Cactus. It blooms in––you guessed it!––early spring, with stunning bright pink flowers. The contrast of the green stem and pink flowers make it ideal for brightening up any room indoors.

Acanthocereus Tetragonus: Fairy Castle Cactus

This is an unusual-looking houseplant, with stems of various sizes that give the appearance of a castle’s many towers. However, it’s the flowers on top of the stems that take the spotlight when they bloom, which is rare.

What is the classification of a cactus?

Cacti can be roughly classified on the basis of their growth form, also known as growth habit. This, of course, is purely on the basis of the plant’s morphology (external appearance) and pattern of growth, and does not take into account other features. Cacti belonging to the same genera may exhibit totally different habits.

How many tribes are there in the Cactus family?

This is the largest of all the subfamilies, and has nine tribes. Plants vary in growth habit, from large tree-like, small and shrubby, to epiphytic cacti that live on trees. The stems are rarely segmented. The leaves are extremely reduced or entirely absent. The cacti in this subfamily are distributed throughout both North and South America.

What are the names of the plants in the genus Opuntia?

Popular plants in this group are Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Dutchman’s Pipe), Hylocereus costaricensis (grown commercially for its fruit), Disocactus ackermannii, Schlumbergera truncata (Christmas Cactus). A large number of plants of the genus Opuntia are also included in this group. Many species of Opuntia are called ‘Prickly Pears’. Cacti in this group have very thick, flattened branches, which are joined end to end. The other genera in this category are Tacinga and Tunilla.

What are some examples of chollas?

Examples of some chollas are Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Teddy Bear Cholla), Cylindropuntia versicolor (Staghorn Cholla), and Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (Desert Christmas Cactus). This group also includes a large number of cacti of the genus Cleistocactus.

What is a sea urchin cactus?

Also known as ‘Sea Urchin Cactus’ or ‘Sand Dollar Cactus’, it is a small, star-shaped cactus with a woolly appearance. In the wild, it does not grow much above the surface of the soil and so is seen to be almost level with the ground. It has no spines, so is easy to handle. The variety “Super Kabuto” is especially popular. The star cactus needs to be repotted more frequently than other cacti and needs to be watered depending on whether it is growing or not.

Why is my cactus red?

It is a mutant that lacks chlorophyll, so the stem manifests colors such as red, yellow, pink and orange. Since it lacks chlorophyll, it cannot manufacture its own food. For this reason, it is grafted onto some other cactus (usually one of the genus Hylocereus), so that it can derive nourishment from it.

What is the International Cactaceae Systematics Group?

This is an organization that was brought into being to gather the work of pioneers in the field of cactus classification. ICSG also takes into consideration new and upcoming research on cacti.

How many species are there in the cactus family?

Detailed treatments published in the 21st century have divided the family into around 125–130 genera and 1,400–1,500 species, which are then arranged into a number of tribes and subfamilies. The ICSG classification of the cactus family recognized four subfamilies, the largest of which was divided into nine tribes.

What are cacti like?

In most other cacti, the branches are more typically cactus-like, bare of leaves and bark, and covered with spines, as in Pachycereus pringlei or the larger opuntias. Some cacti may become tree-sized but without branches, such as larger specimens of Echinocactus platyacanthus. Cacti may also be described as shrubby, with several stems coming from the ground or from branches very low down, such as in Stenocereus thurberi.

What are cactus flowers?

Like their spines, cactus flowers are variable. Typically, the ovary is surrounded by material derived from stem or receptacle tissue, forming a structure called a pericarpel. Tissue derived from the petals and sepals continues the pericarpel, forming a composite tube—the whole may be called a floral tube, although strictly speaking only the part furthest from the base is floral in origin. The outside of the tubular structure often has areoles that produce wool and spines. Typically, the tube also has small scale-like bracts, which gradually change into sepal-like and then petal-like structures, so the sepals and petals cannot be clearly differentiated (and hence are often called " tepals "). Some cacti produce floral tubes without wool or spines (e.g. Gymnocalycium) or completely devoid of any external structures (e.g. Mammillaria ). Unlike the flowers of most other cacti, Pereskia flowers may be borne in clusters.

How tall is the smallest cactus?

The tallest free-standing cactus is Pachycereus pringlei, with a maximum recorded height of 19.2 m (63 ft), and the smallest is Blossfeldia liliputiana, only about 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter at maturity.

Where do cacti grow?

Cacti are often grown in greenhouses, particularly in regions unsuited to the cultivation of cacti outdoors, such the northern parts of Europe and North America. Here, they may be kept in pots or grown in the ground. Cacti are also grown as houseplants, many being tolerant of the often dry atmosphere. Cacti in pots may be placed outside in the summer to ornament gardens or patios, and then kept under cover during the winter. Less drought-resistant epiphytes, such as epiphyllum hybrids, Schlumbergera (the Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus) and Hatiora (the Easter cactus), are widely cultivated as houseplants.

What is a cactus in Singapore?

Many species of cactus have long, sharp spines, like this Opuntia. A cactus (plural cacti, cactuses, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species ...

What are the spines of cactus?

Cactus spines are produced from specialized structures called areoles, a kind of highly reduced branch. Areoles are an identifying feature of cacti. As well as spines, areoles give rise to flowers, which are usually tubular and multipetaled.

Classifications of A Cactus Plant

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Physical Characteristics of Cacti Plants

Some of The Common Types of Cacti Plants

Summary