Types of Cactus
| Types of Cactus Barrel Cactus Beavertail Cholla Claret Cup Cactus Fishhook Hedgehog Cactus Ocotillo Organ Pipe Cactus Pincushion Cactus Prickly Pear Cactus Saguaro Cactus Totem Pole Cactus Flowers |
They are the largest family of succulent plants, with most of the 2000 known species native to North, Central and South America. The vast majority of cacti, but not all, are well adapted to desert conditions, using their stems to store water during extended dry seasons.
Cacti are flowering plants that serve an important role in their ecosystem by providing food and shelter to many animals, birds and reptiles. Desert tortoises, for example, often snack on their local cactus stems and fruits.
Human attraction to cacti rivals that of wildlife. Cacti are big business in America, selling as ornamental plants for homes and gardens as well as selling in a variety of consumer products from jam to cosmetics.
Trade in cacti has also greatly expanded in the past couple of decades. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) lists over one hundred cacti species in Appendix I, meaning trade is prohibited. (see Trade in Chihuahuan Desert Cacti).
This album shows the range in size and shape taken by cacti. Some, like the Saguaro, grow very tall. Others, such as the pincushion, grow no more than a few inches above the ground.
The links in the right box take you to pictures and descriptions of different cactus species, some species have a flower included. The article about cactus flowers discusses the botanical aspects of the flowers.