From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The genus Mammillaria is one of the largest in the cactus family Cactaceae, with currently 171 known species and varieties recognized. The first was described by Carolus Linnaeus as Cactus mammillaris in 1753, deriving name from Latin mammilla = nipple, referring to the tubercules that are one of the plant's specific features. In 1812, the cactus specialist Adrian Haworth described the genus Mammillaria to contain this and related species.The distinctive feature of the genus is the specific development of an areole, that is split into two clearly separated parts, one occurring at the tubercule's apex, the other at its base. The apex part is spine bearing, and the base part is always spineless, but usually bearing some bristles or wool. The base part of the areole bears the flowers and fruits, and is a branching point. The apex part of the areole does not carry flowers, but in certain conditions can function as a branching point as well.The plants are usually small, globose to elongated, the stems from 1 cm to 20 cm in diameter and from 1 cm to 40 cm tall, clearly tuberculate, solitary to clumping forming mounds of up to 100 heads and posses radial symmetry. Tubercules can be conical, cylindrical, pyramidal or round. The roots are fibrous, fleshy or tuberous. The flowers are funnel-shaped and range from 7 mm to 40 mm and more in length and in diameter, from white and greenish to yellow, pink and red in color, often with a darker mid-stripe. The fruit is berry-like, club-shaped or elongated, usually red but sometimes white, yellow or green. Some species have the fruit embedded into the plant body. The seeds are black or brown, from 1 to 3 mm in size. Mammillarias have extremely variable spination from species to species, and attractive flowers, making them specifically attractive for cactus hobbyists. Mammillaria plants are considered easy in cultivation, though some species are among the hardest cacti to grow.Most of the mammillarias are native to Mexico, but some come from the southwest USA, the Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala and Honduras.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Mammillaria
Moonlight cactus From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Moonlight cacti or (genus Selenicereus) is a poorly defined cactus genus found in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. Description Clambering plants with flat to angled stems, producing aerial roots. Areoles may be with or without spines. Flowers are large and nocturnal, pollinated by moths or rarely bats. The receptacle bears small bracts, hairs and usually spines. Fruits bear numerous spines. Etymology Its generic name is derived from the old Greek moon goddess Selene, referring to the nocturnal flowers. The term Nightblooming Cereus is sometimes used here, but this is also used for many night blooming cacti, including Epiphyllum, Hylocereus and Peniocereus.
Carnegiea gigantea, giant saguaro.
Carnegiea gigantea, giant saguaro. Although larger than the average cactus, this species illustrates well the vegetative features and typical habitat of the cactus family. Saguaro National Park, AZ
Hylocereus undatus, night blooming cereus
Hylocereus undatus, night blooming cereus. This well-known Punahou hedge cactus has many perianth segments and stamens. Note also the several pale yellow stigmas visible in the lower front part of the flower. The sectional view shows numerous parietal ovules in the single locule of the inferior ovary.
Opuntia cochenillifera, prickly pear.
Opuntia cochenillifera, prickly pear. Note the numerous perianth segments and stamens and several green stigmas in this typical cactus flower. The ovary is sunken into the stem at the bottom of the photo. Also visible here are several areoles bearing bristles that would persist as the fruit matures.
Pereskia grandifolia, Cactaceae, pereskia.
Pereskia grandifolia, Cactaceae, pereskia. Large shrub from Brazil with clusters of pink or white rose-like flowers, each about one and a half inches in diameter. Although the plant bears a few spines that are characteristic of cacti, it is one of only a few species that also bear large foliage leaves.
Cactus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; For other meanings, see Cactus (disambiguation). This article is about the plant family. For the genus Cactus, see Mammillaria, Melocactus, and Opuntia. A cactus (plural cacti, cactuses or cactus) is any member of the succulent plant family Cactaceae, native to the Americas. They are often used as ornamental plants, but some are also crop plants. Cacti are distinctive and unusual plants, which are adapted to extremely arid and hot environments, showing a wide range of anatomical and physiological features which conserve water. Their stems have expanded into green succulent structures containing the chlorophyll necessary for life and growth, while the leaves have become the spines for which cacti are so well known.Cacti come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The tallest is Pachycereus pringlei, with a maximum recorded height of 19.2 m,[1] and the smallest is Blossfeldia liliputiana, only about 1 cm diameter at maturity.[2] Cactus flowers are large, and like the spines and branches arise from areoles. Many cactus species are night blooming, as they are pollinated by nocturnal insects or small animals, principally moths, bats, and sheep. Cacti's sizes range from small and round to pole-like and tall.
