ADVERTISEMENTS:
Here is a list of cactus and succulents found across the world.
1. Pereskia aculeate:
It is native of West Indies and coast of South America and is commonly known as ‘Lemon vine’. It is a woody plant, and have needle like brown spines. Leaves are waxy green and elliptic. Flowers are creamish in colour and possess lemon like scent. P. grandiflora known as ‘Rose cactus’ is another common species. It is a tall shrub growing about 5 m with abundantly spiny trunk. Leaves are rich green, fleshy and waxy. Flowers are produced in terminal clusters of rose colour and are very similar to the wild rose.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
2. Opuntia sp.:
It is a commonly grown cactus for fencing. There are large numbers of species and some are ornamental.
Common species used for fencing are:
O. cylindrica, O. ccribaea, O. tetracantha and O. subulata.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Other common species are:
O. leptocaulic, O. linbericata, O. ficus-indica, O. mammillata, O. microdasys, and O. streptacantha.
Opuntia monocantha uariegata is a highly ornamental having patches of different colours like pink, red, and yellow.
3. Aprocactus flagelliformis:
It is popularly called as ‘Rat’s tail cactus’. Stems are long about 1.5-2 m, slender and hanging. Stems, are closely ribbed and densely covered with small brownish spines. Flowers are tubular which are produced on long hanging stems and last for several days. This is ideally suitable for hanging baskets.
Other important species are:
A. mallisonii, A. conzatti, and A. martianus.
4. Astrophptum myriostigma:
It is commonly known as ‘Bishop’s cap’. The usual number of ribs is 5 but it ranges from 3-8. The dark surface is covered with silvery scales. Plants are spineless but have prominent areoles. Large numbers of small, sweetly scented yellow with reddish throat are produced. It is ideally suited for small pots. There are several varieties like ‘Column arc’, ‘Nudum’, ‘Quadricostata’, ‘Tulensis’, etc.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Other popular species are:
A. asterias. It is popularly known as ‘Sea Urchin’ cactus. It has 8 spineless ribs and is of flattened hemispherical shape. The epidermis is greyish green which is covered with white spots.
A. capricorne is difficult to grow. It is a cylindrical and tall growing about 30 cm. It has 9 ribs with long inter-wining spines.
5. Cephalocereus senilis:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
It is popularly called as ‘Old man cactus’ on account of presence of long grey hair which cover the entire column. Length of column varies from 15 cm to 10 m. Ribs are closely attached.
Important species are :
C. flumiensis, C. cometes, C. leucostele, C. royenii, etc.
6. Cereus sp.:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The word cereus is derived from Latin word cera which means wax or torch. It is commonly called as ‘Night blooming cacti’ on account of nocturnal habit of flowering. Young plants are straight columnar in shape but with the age they grow vigorously and are useful root-stocks for propagation purpose. Flowers are white or pink.
There are about 26 species and common species are:
C. hexagonus. It grows in a column upto 9 m high and 15 cm thick. It has blue- green to grey stems and branch freely.
C. argentinensis. It is from Argentina. It is another vigorously growing and freely branching species.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Other important species are:
C. jamacaru, C. peruuianus and C. repandus.
7. Chamaecereus silvestris:
It has short, finger like freely off-setting stems. Plants are prostrate, pale green, and covered with short white spines. Flowers are large and of scarlet colour.
8. Coryphantha sp.:
These are small, globular or cylindrical cacti, divided into tubercles. They have attractive spine formations and look attractive. Flowers are large and are produced at the top. Important species are C. echinus, C. cornifera, C. clava, C. pallida, C. vivipara, etc.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
9. Echinopsis sp.:
It is commonly called as ‘Barrel’ or ‘Hedge-hog’ cacti. These are large, globular and have sharp continuous ribs. The flowers are long, funnel shaped, usually white or rose coloured, scented and open in the evening. Important species are E. campylacanthah, E. calochlora, E. bridgesii, E. tubiflora, E. eyriesii, etc.
10. Echinocereus sp.:
These form clumps by branching from the basis of shoots at ground level. In some species, plants grow in large plant bodies which do not usually branch.
Echinocereus are divided into three groups according to plant growth:
1. Plants with weak spines—e.g. E. subinermis—is a branching plant. The stems are 8-9 cm thick and have 5-8 ribs with very short spines.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Other species are:
E. pulchellus and E. knippelianus.
2. Prostrate, mat forming plants e.g. E. blanckii, E. pentalophus, E. procumbens, etc.
3. Erect plants, branching from base e.g. E. pectinatus, E. oklahomensis, E. delaetii, E. ertgelmanii, E. fendleri, etc.
11. Ferocactus sp.:
The general name has been derived from English word ‘Ferocious’, on account of its look due to presence of fierce spines. But spines are beautifully coloured. Plants are slow growing. Flowers of red or yellow colour are borne on the top of the plant.
Important species are:
F. acanthodes, F. couillei, F. johnstonianus, F. latispinus, F. melocactiformis, etc.
12. Gymnocalycium sp.:
It is commonly called as ‘Chin’ cactus. These are globular plants and have few ribs which are divided into tubercles. There is a cleft below each tubercle, giving a ‘chin’ like effect. Length of spines and shape vary greatly with the species. Some have short, thin spines, while others possess long stout, and curved ones. Flowers are quite large of about 5 cm across and last for several days.
The important species are:
G. denudatum, G. baldianum, G. bruchii, G. dimsii, G. gibbosum, G. mihanouichii.
13. Haageocereus sp.:
The genus consists of many ribbed and columnar cacti which are closely covered with brightly coloured spines. The sweetly scented flowers are nocturnal. H. decumbens, H. multicolorispinus and H. acranthus produce attractive flowers.
14. Hamatocactus sp.:
It is a small cactus. Plants are cylindrical, young and spines are deep red but fade to white upon ageing.
Important species are:
H. hamatacanthus. Flowers are large and yellow with a red throat.
H. setispenus. It is a free flowering and producing yellow flowers with red throat.
H. uncinatus. Flowers are comparatively smaller and of a reddish brown colour.
15. Harrisia sp.:
These are tall, slender, become sprawling and need support. They have several broad ribs and spines. Flowers are large, usually white and nocturnal. Pods are yellow or orange which do not split.
Important species are:
H. eriophora, H. gracilis and H. simpsonii.
16. Lemaireocereus:
These are tall, columns and branching from just above the ground. Flowers are white, small and open during day.
Important species are:
L beneckii, L chichipa, L. dumortieri, L. marginatus, L. thunberi and L. weberi.
17. Lobivia sp.:
These are commonly called ‘cob cacti’ and have globular or cylindrical stem. Plants are medium sized having ribs usually divided into tubercles. Spines are stout usually directed upwards. Bristly hairs are also present which sometimes entirely cover the plant body. Flowers are multi-coloured in red and yellow which open in day. L. chrysantha, L. haageana, L. shaperi, L. pentlandii are some of important species.
18. Mammilleria:
It is popularly known as ‘Bird’s Nest Cacti’. The word mammilleria is derived from Latin word mammilla which means nipples or teats. They form clusters of globular green stems which are covered with silky hair. Spines are variable in size. The small bell shaped flowers are borne in circles around the top of the plant.
Flower colour is usually cream or pale yellow. Many species also beautify the plant with colourful seed pod for months. The genus is comprised of about 300 species. M. goldii, M. Candida, M. bocasana, M. zeilmann lana, M. celsiana, M. gracilis, M. hahniana, M. chionocephala, M. wildii, M. discolor cristata are important species.
19. Notocactus sp.:
This is large group of vigorous and hardy plants. Plants flower when they are young. Large flowers are produced on the top of the plant and are yellow in colour with purple red stigma.
Important species are:
N. haselbergii, N. leninghausii and N. elachisanthus.
20. Rebutia sp.:
These are small, free clustering cacti. They are short lived (3-4 years), and are easily propagated through off-sets which root easily. Funnel shaped flowers are produced around the sides of the plants arising from near the base. Flower colour varies from red to orange, pink yellow, mauve and white.
Most commonly grown species are:
R. minuscula, R. senilis and R. xanthocarpa.
21. Trichocereus candicanis:
Plants are glossy green and have 9-11 ribs. These ribs bear large, round, white woolly areoles, with spreading golden yellow spines of variable lengths. Branching from the base is profuse and plants become many stemmed. Flowers are large, glistening white and have lily like scent.
Other species are:
T. theologonus, T. chilensis, etc.
Description of Important Succulents:
22. Agave sp. (Amaryllidaceae):
There are about 300 species and are native of America. Majority of the species are ornamental but A. sisalana and A. fourcroydes are cultivated for extracting fibre. A. americana is known as ‘Century plant’. A. americana marginata is another important species. Leaf margins are wavy, toothed and broad having golden yellow bands at the margin of leaves.
Other important species are:
A. filifera and A. uictoriae reginae.
23. Aloe sp. (Liliaceae):
These are native of Africa, Madagascar and Atlantic islands. Leaves are produced in rosette which are thick and fleshy. Inflorescence arise from axils of leaves. Flowers are mainly orange, red or yellow. A. variegata is the most commonly cultivated species. This has transverse wavy bands of white markings on the leaves. It is stemless and produces dense group of rosette.
Other important species are:
A. fosteri, A. breuifolia, A. vera, etc.
24. Aptenia cordifolia (Aizoaceae):
Plants are prostrate and stems are covered with glistening papillae. Leaves are heart shaped, short stalked, opposite, fleshy and covered with papillae. Small flowers are short stalked and purplish red in colour. Ideally suited for hanging baskets, rockery and window gardens. Flowering occurs during hot months and July to September.
25. Cotyledon sp. (Crassulaceae):
These are perennial and shrubby in nature. They have either opposite and persistent leaves with thick and fleshy stems or leaves are alternative and summer deciduous. Easily propagated by seeds, stem cuttings and some by leaf cuttings.
Important species are:
C. orbiculata. Plant has thick stems with opposite, un-stalked, ovate-obovate and fleshy leaves. Leaves have grey waxy covering. Flowers appear in summer and are of yellowish-red colour.
Other species are:
C. undulata and C. jucobensiana.
26. Euphorbia sp. (Euphorbiaceae):
There are about 800 species, widely distributed throughout the world. They look like cacti but actually these are different. Euphorbias are mainly identified by the presence of milk and flowers which are called cyathia and whose colour is due to colourful bracts.
Important species are:
E. candelabrum. This grows about 10 m and becomes like a tree. The branches are four ribbed and bear leaves near the tips. The crests of the ribs are wavy, toothed and bear pairs of spines.
E. neriifolia. Stem is five angled and becomes cylindrical when mature. Fleshy long leaves are produced on youngest portion of shoot.
E. splendens.Commonly called as ‘Mother in law’s Tongue’. It is a spiny shrub about a meter or taller. Branches are irregular and brown coloured. Leaves are variable and present over all the stem. Cyathia are scarlet coloured.
E. pendula. It has many branched, long pendant shoots. It is suitable for hanging baskets.
E, aphyllo, This is a succulent shrub which produces forkly, cylindrical branches, E. tirucalli is similar in shape but it grows tall to about 6-8 m.
Other important species are:
E. angularis, E. meloformis, E. pseudocactus, E. triangularis, and E. ramipressa.
27. Feurcrae spp.:
It is similar to agave with tufted leaves, margin, spiny, dentate or leathery important species are:
F. selloa var. marginata. Leaves are variegated and margins yellow.
F. gigantea. I eaves are large oblong, oblanceolate, flat, glossy green with margin entire.
F. gigantea medopicta. Leaves are creamy white, yellow with longitudinal centre.
28. Haworthia sp. (Liliaceae):
These are small delightful plants and are highly suitable for semi-shady situations, living rooms, and other situations. Leaves are usually in rosette, densely arranged and overlapping each other. These are easily propagated by separating rooted rosettes.
Important species are:
H. fasciata. Leaves are sessile and triangular lanceolate. Upper surface is flat but lower is markedly covered with white tubercles arranged in distinct transverse bands.
H. cymbiformis and H. limifolia are also important from ornamental point of view.
29. Lithops sp. (Aizoaceae):
These are popularly called as ‘Flowering stones’ on account of their similarity to surrounding gravels, stones or pebbles. The generic word is derived from Greek words i.e. lithos (stone) and ops (likes). Plants grow singly or in clumps. Plant bodies consist of single pair of brownish-grey leaves with and reticulate surfaces. Sometimes surfaced is dotted. Flowers are short stalked, white or yellow in colour. Very easily propagated by seeds and cuttings.
Important species are:
L. bella, L. diuergens, L. salicola, etc.
30. Nolina recurvata syn. Beucarnea recurvata (Liliaceae):
It is a small tree with swollen trunk at the base and tapering towards apex. Leaves are long, narrow and recurved in tuft.
31. Portulacaria afra (Portulaceae):
It is succulent shrub and very common for hanging baskets. Stem is horizontally spreading. Leaves are thick, glabrous, opposite, obovate and shining green.
32. Sanseveria sp. (Liliaceae):
These are native of South Africa and East Indies. Leaves are stiff, erect, sword like and flat in some species and cylindrical in others. They are arranged in rosette which arises from stoloniferous rhizomes. Flowers are white and inconspicuous. Propagation is done by division.
Commonly grown species are:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
S. marginata. Leaves are thick, green and having yellow strip on the margin.
S. cylindrica. Leaves are round, arching and rigid measuring 120-150 cm. These are usually furrowed and several grouped to a shoot.
S. trifasciata. Leaves are dark green have whitish wavy bands over the entire surfaces except wide green marginal band. S. trifasciata var. laurentii is another handsome species.
S. hahnii. Leaves are broad, resolute and are attractively marked.
33. Sedum sp. (Crassulaceae):
These are about 300 species of this genus which are native of mountainous region of Central Africa, Madagascar, Peru, Bolivia and Philippines. The word sedum is derived from word ‘Sedo which means to sit and it is in reference to the method by which some species are attached to the rocks.
Common species are:
S. compactum. Low growing herbaceous plants with obovate to obtuse leaves on short rosette.
S. morganianum. Leaves ate thick, fleshy and numerous.
S. nudum. Leaves are alternate, obovate, oblong, thick and blunt at the tip.
34. Yucca sp. (Liliaceae):
It is not succulent but is a xerophytic plant. Leaves are long, lanceolate and green.
Important species are:
Y. gloriosa. Commonly known as ‘Spanish dagger’ which grows to about 240 cm in height? Stem is thick, short and topped by dense rosette of sword shaped leaves which are flat, glaucous, grey-green and rough.
Other notable species are Y. elephantipes and Y. schotii.
