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Cactus
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A Cactus (pl., cacti or cactuses) is a type of usually succulent plant belonging to the flowering plant family, Cactaceae. Cacti are well-known natives of the desert areas in the Americas. They have also become naturalized to similar environments in other areas of the world.
Like other succulents, cacti are well-adapted to life with little precipitation. Their leaves have evolved into needles or spines, which in addition to allowing less water to evaporate than regular leaves, defend the cactus against water-seeking animals. Their photosynthesis is carried out by the enlarged stems, which also store water. Unlike many other succulents, the stem is the only part of a true cactus where this takes place. Very few members of the family have leaves, and when present these are rudimentary and typically awl-shaped.
Cacti come in many varieties in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The Cactaceae (depending upon the authority) has between 24 and 220 genera (90 is perhaps a good number) with anywhere from 1,500 to 1,800 species. Some grow to great heights. Some cactuses produce beautiful flowers, which like spines and branches arise from areoles. Many cactus species are night-blooming, as they are pollinated by nocturnal insects or small animals, principally moths and bats.
A number of cactus species are cultivated for use as houseplants, as well as for ornamental gardens. They often form part of xerophilic (dry) gardens in arid regions. Some cacti bear edible fruit.
Examples of cacti
Genera
- ''Acanthocereus (Engelm. ex Berger) Britt. & Rose -- triangle cactus
- Ancistrocactus
- Ariocarpus Scheidw. -- livingrock
- Astrophytum Lem. -- astrophytum
- Bergerocactus Britt. & Rose -- snakecactus
- Carnegia Britt. & Rose -- carnegia cactus, saguaro
- Carnegiea Britton & Rose -- saguaro
- Cephalocereus Pfeiff.
- Cereus P. Mill. -- sweetpotato cactus
- Coryphantha (Engelm.) Lem. -- beehive cactus, coryphantha, coryphantha cactus
- Echinocactus Link & Otto -- barrel cactus, echinocactus
- Echinocereus Engelm. -- hedgehog cactus
- Epiphyllum Haw. -- climbing cactus
- Epithelantha A. Weber ex Britt. & Rose -- epithelantha, pingpong ball cactus
- Escobaria Britt. & Rose -- foxtail cactus, pincushion cactus
- Ferocactus Britt. & Rose -- barrel cactus, ferocactus
- Harrisia Britt. -- applecactus
- Hyalocereus
- Hylocereus (Berger) Britt. & Rose -- nightblooming cactus
- Lemaireocereus
- Leptocereus (Berger) Britt. & Rose -- leptocereus
- Lophophora Coult. -- lophophora
- Mammillaria Haw. -- fishhook cactus, globe cactus, pincushion cactus
- Melocactus Link & Otto -- melocactus
- Neolloydia Britt. & Rose -- neolloydia
- Opuntia P. Mill. -- figues de Barbarie, prickly pear, pricklypear, cholla
- Pachycereus (Berger) Britt. & Rose -- pachycereus
- Pediocactus Britt. & Rose -- hedgehog cactus
- Peniocereus (Berger) Britt. & Rose -- peniocereus
- Pereskia P. Mill. -- pereskia
- Pilosocereus Byles & Rowley -- tree cactus
- Rhipsalis Gaertn. -- rhipsalis
- Schlumbergera Lem. -- schlumbergera
- Sclerocactus Britt. & Rose -- fishhook cactus
- Selenicereus (Berger) Britt. & Rose -- moonlight cactus
- Stenocereus (Berger) Riccob. -- stenocereus
- Thelocactus (K. Schum.) Britt. & Rose -- thelocactus
- Turbinicarpus Buxbaum & Backeberg -- top cactus
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California Cactus Center
Grower and supplier of cacti and succulents, tillandesia and airplants.
http://www.cactuscenter.com/
OldManCactus.com
Exotic and rare cacti, succulents, alluaudia, lithops, euphorbia and gasteria. Growers' guide and plant auctions available.
http://www.oldmancactus.com/
Jim Hunter's Epiphyllum Universe
Dedicated to Epiphytic cacti. Includes a vast amount of information about Epiphyllum care and feeding and offers some cuttings for sale.
http://www.epiuniverse.com/
K & L Cactus Nursery
California seller of cactus, succulents and epiphyllums, book, seeds, supplies and information.
http://home.inreach.com/klcactus/
CactusByMail.com
California seller of prickly pear, cholla and other desert plants.
http://cactusbymail.com
CactiMex
Distributor located in Mexico offering the seed of palms, cacti, and agave seeds available for sale.
http://www.cactimex.com/
Cactoo
Online catalog for buying cacti, mesembs, and other succulent caudiforms. Over 3000 species in total.
http://www.cactoo.com/
Gariep Plants
Offers cultivated succulents from Africa and Madagascar, an illustrated catalog and photos.
http://a1design.net/gariep/
Stone Crop LLC
Retail and wholesale nursery selling hardy succulents with an emphasis on sempervivums and sedums.
http://www.stonecrops.com
Echeveria.com
Australian mail-order nursery specializing in echeverias, many species and hybrids are available.
http://www.echeverias.com
The CactusStore.com
Offering cactus and succulent seeds, many agaves, echinocereus, and euphorbias.
http://www.cactusstore.com/
Succulent Tissue Culture
Offers rare and endangered succulents and cacti from tissue culture. Showing very interesting techniques used to propagate the plants.
http://www.succulent-tissue-culture.com/
Toobees Exotics
Growers of many succulent plants including bromeliads, many euphorbias and caudiforms/pachycauls.
http://www.toobees.com/
Shoal Creek Succulents
Specializing in asclepiads, mesembs, caudiforms, and a wide selection of other succulents and cacti.
http://www.shoalcreeksucculents.com/
Glenhirst Cactus Nursery
Books, lithops, seeds, and plants are offered. Ships within the UK, and European Union.
http://www.glenhirstcactiandpalms.co.uk/
Cono's Paradise Nursery
Specializing in the genus conophytum, with many other species offered, ships internationally.
http://www.conos-paradise.com/
Rio Grande Cacti
Specializing in the cacti of the Southwestern United States, does not ship out of the US.
http://www.riogrande-cacti.com/
Daniel's Speciatly Nursery
Over 4,000 varieties of cacti and succulents. Many rare and uncommon types all available by mail order.
http://members.cox.net/daniels_specialty_nursery
Sempervivum Hen and Chicks
Large variety of sempervivum, commonly called Hen and Chicks, each with name and photo.
http://www.henandchicks.com
Cactusland
Grower and seller of a large range of cactus, succulents, tillandsias, bromeliads and other unusual plants.
http://www.cactusland.com.au/
Cactus & Succulent Page
Resource by Philip White such as ariocarpus, lophophora, astrophytum, haworthia, pelecyphora, mammillaria, aztekium, euphorbia. Plants for sale include lophophora williamsii.
http://www.lophophora.org.uk
CactusPlaza
Online cactus nursery specializes in species such as Astrophytum, Lophophora, Pereskiopsis, Trichocereus, and Turbinicarpus. Includes information on cactus growing. Plants can be ordered for good prices, shipment by regular mail.
http://www.cactusplaza.com/
Desert Succulent Creations
Succulent wreaths, table arrangements, decorations and a wide selection of plants.
http://www.desertsucculents.com/
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