Species List | Site Map | Email | Copyright
MAJOR
TYPES OF CACTI
Cactus
Family | Cactus
Types | Opuntia
COLUMNAR
CACTI: Have cylindrical stems, with ribs
(see pleats) running from bottom to top, that are at least 10x taller than
wide. Includes species in the genera Carnegiea (Saguaro), Lophocereus (Senita), Packycereus (Cardon), Stenocereus (Organpipe Cactus), and others).
BARREL
CACTI: Have
cylindrical stems, with ribs (see pleats) running from bottom to top, that
are less than 10x taller than wide and a have a diameter that is greater
than about 5". Flowers grow from top of stem. Includes species in the following genera Ferocactus (Fishhook Barrel) and Echinocactus (Many-headed Barrel).
HEDGEHOG
CACTI: Have
cylindrical stems, with ribs (see pleats) running from bottom to top, that
are less than 10x taller than wide and have a diameter that is less than
about 5". Species occuring here are generally less than 12" tall. Flowers grow
from sides of stem. Spines are not hooked (as are many pincushion cactuses).
Includes species in the genus Echinocereus (Hedgehog
Cactus).
PINCUSHION
CACTI: Have
unbranched cylindrical stems, without ribs (see pleats) running from bottom
to top. Species
occuring here are less than 6" tall. Central spines are often hooked
(unlike hedgehog cactuses). Includes species in the genus Mammillaria (Fishhook Pincushion Cactus).
CHOLLA
CACTI:
Have branched, cylindrical stems with jointed segments. Includes species
in the genus Opuntia (Chainfruit, Christmas, Staghorn,
and Teddybear Cholla). See The
Opuntia Difference for more.
PRICKLY
PEAR CACTI:
Have flattened, pad-like stems. Includes species in the genus Opuntia (Prickly Pear). See The
Opuntia Difference for more.