Cacti
Cactus: plants in the family Cactaceae that are often characterized by having thick, fleshy stems, showy flowers, and lacking in leaves, typically well suited to living in arid habitats.
Basically, the plants that have tried very very hard to discourage being touched, and which humans try very very hard to cultivate with minimal touching.
Genus: Astrophytum
A small genus of cacti with only 5 species:
- Astrophytum asterias
- Astrophytum capricorne
- Astrophytum caput-medusae
- Astrophytum myriostigma
- Astrophytum ornatum
Extremely Variable
While only a few species exist in the genus, all except the most recently discovered (caput-medusae) have numerous cultivars. These carefully cultivated varieties can be more delicate than their “wild-type” cousins, but all are beautiful and rewarding to keep.
About the Astrophytum Genus
All cacti in the genus, in their wild form, come from the Chihuahuan desert in Mexico (north/east), ranging up into southern Texas.
The entire genus is distinct in having fuzzy white trichomes (bumps) on their epidermis, or skin. Some varieties have been selectively bred to significantly reduce this fuzziness, but it is distinct in the species. All plants bloom yellow, with some having a red-centered flower, and certain recent cultivars showing pink blooms.
They all produce dry, fuzzy seed pods with relatively large seeds that are generally easy to germinate.
Astrophytum asterias
Astrophytum capricorne
Astrophytum caput-medusae
Astrophytum myriostigma
Astrophytum ornatum
Genus: Copiapoa
A genus with a fan club! Those who love copiapoa tend to become enormously dedicated to their favorite genus. While there are dozens of species, the entire genus is limited to Northern Chile.
Hardy and Slow to Grow
All copiapoas are generally globose or cylindrical-globose in shape, extremely slow growing, and develop a wooly top. Nearly all of them bloom with bright yellow flowers.
Copiapoa Cacti
All cacti in the genus originate in Northern Chile. The stark deserts they exist in get little to no measurable rainfall, with most moisture for the plants coming from fogs rolling in from the coast.
While they grow in extreme conditions in the wild, cultivated plants are generally very forgiving. They stay small and manageable, which may be a reason they are so popular with collectors.
Copiapoa esmeraldiana
Copiapoa haseltonia
Copiapoa humilis
Copiapoa hypogaea
Copiapoa marginata
Copiapoa marginata
Copiapoa montana (?)
Copiapoa tenuissima
Genus: Echinocactus
A historically large genus, many modern collectors view it as having only 6 species currently. I’ll be lumping all cacti that were previously considered as Echinocactus in here, but will note their updated scientific name where possible.
Wide Ranging...at one point.
The original description of the genus included plants that ranged from all over North & South America, were generally globe-shaped and didn’t fit in with either the Cereus or Melocactus genus.
Echinocactus, Ferocactus, Echinocereus…
I have no where close to the entire historical genus of Echinocactus, and wouldn’t dream of trying to catalog them all this way. For now, I’ll list them below – to see more details about their updated genus, click through.
These cacti all share an affinity for nearly full sun, sparse winter watering, and plenty of heat. They’re all globe-shaped, and tend to produce yellow or pink flowers. I’m grouping all of my barrel shaped cacti here in true cactus sorting fashion.
Echinocactus gentryi
Now Echinocereus gentryi
Echinocactus grusonii
Echinocactus ingens (coming soon)
Echinocactus emoryi
Mine may actually be E. ingens; now Ferocactus emoryi
Echinocereus rigidissimius var. rubrispinus
Echinopsis subdenudata
Echinopsis var. "Rainbow Bursts"
Echinopsis var. "LA"
Ferocactus chrysacanthus
Ferocactus macrodiscus
Ferocactus viridescens
Genus: Gymnocalycium
The entire genus are all “chin cacti” which I think is probably the silliest name for plants ever. They’re generally small, subtle cacti that haven’t quite taken off in mainstream cultivation yet.
A famous sibling
There’s one Gymnocalycium you’ve probably seen or heard of, and it’s the purple moon cactus. Various types of albino types are commonly seen available as grafted specimens at home depot, grocery stores, and more. The genus has so much more to offer!
Gymnocalycium
The entire genus consists of small, globular cacti that don’t quite have super distinct ribs. They often have small or few spines, and flower extremely easily – but the blooms only open fully in extreme heat and full sun. They range throughout South/East South America, and range in their preferred environment and elevation.
Gymnocalycium andrae
Gymnocalycium baldianum
Gymnocalycium cardenasianum
Gymnocalycium denudatum
Gymnocalycium mihanovichii friedrichii
Gymnocalycium pflanzi
Gymnocalycium pflanzi var. albipulpa
Gymnocalycium rotundum
Gymnocalycium saglione
Gymnocalycium tukasikii
