Though they look remarkably different from the Saguaros and Barrel Cacti in the American Southwest, Schlumbergera meets the criteria to be in the cactus family. The Most Festive Flower: The Christmas CactusĪnother funky Latin name, the genus Schlumbergera includes cacti that sport gorgeous flowers. Image by US Fish and Wildlife Service via Wikipedia // Public Domain Though each cactus flower is individually small, they bloom in a circle around the top of the cactus, putting all the Coachella attendees to shame.Ī crown of Fishhook cactus flowers. But the fishhook cactus stands out with its flower crown. From rich reds to creamy pinks, the flowers even come with striated petals. While there are plenty of reasons to love the Fishhook Cactus, the flowers are the real sell. ” They sometimes lean far enough to uproot themselves. As they grow taller, they often lean toward the sun (a phenomenon called phototropism), and many of these cacti end up growing to the Southwest, giving them the appropriate nickname “ Compass Cactus. Fishhook barrel cacti are some of the longer-lived species of cacti, with lifespans of up to 100 years. That’s a chunky cactus! But it’s no surprise they have time to reach these mammoth sizes. While these charismatic cacti usually grow to be a couple of feet tall and a couple of feet in diameter, they can reach heights up to eight feet and be four feet around. The cactus is named for the shape of its spines – instead of coming to a straight point, they curl back at the end like a fishhook. The Most Hipster Cactus Flower: The Fishhook CactusĪ classic of the American Southwest, the Fishhook Cactus ( Mammillaria dioica ) is charming as can be! With rotund, barrel-shaped forms, this cactus loves to live in gravelly washes in Arizona and Northern Mexico. The lily-like cactus flowers of the Gymnocalycium anisitsii. anisitsii trumpet out from the base into a firework of petals. With petals that are delicate and pink, the cactus flowers of the G. Lucky for the cactus lovers of the world, this species rarely has a moment when it’s not flowering! It’s even known for flowering when it’s very young, sometimes producing flowers when only 1.5 cm in diameter. Its low, lumpy base is a muddled mixture of olive to brownish purple, with less than impressive spines that don’t do much for protection. anisitsii, however, prefers more shady areas, and will even find its home nestled under the cover of shrubs.
Usually, cacti are thought to be a sun-loving bunch, and many are (think the blazing deserts of southern Arizona). anisitsii sports a few unique growth patterns. Native to the Tucavaca Valley in Bolivia, G. But as far as remarkable flowers go, the G. The most commonly recognizable plant in the genus is the moon cactus, which is notable for its ability to grow without chlorophyll, and when grafted to another cactus, become a brightly colored cactus hat. Though an intimidating word, Gymnocalycium is a genus of cacti that often don’t have common names, so we’ll stick with the laborious Latin. Here we’ll take a closer look at some of the cactus species that produce the most beautiful cactus flowers.
Often mistaken for cacti, aloes, euphorbs, and agaves fall under different plant families.
Additionally, cacti are delineated from other succulents by the presence of areoles, which are small bumps along the stem where the spines grow. If a plant lacks such a flower, it cannot be a cactus. Multiple lobes on the stigma (the female part of the flower).Hundreds of stamens (the male part of the flower).Many interwoven tepals (includes both petals and sepals).To be a cactus, the plant must develop a particular type of flower including the : While cacti have spread in horticultural popularity around the globe, they are native to the New World.Ĭacti all fall under the succulent category, but not all succulents are technically cacti. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, cactus flowers also provide necessary food for hummingbirds, bats, bees, and other pollinators. In contrast to their globular shapes and spikey flesh, cactus flowers display an unparalleled beauty. Having become one of the most popular house plants, often because of their purported ease to care for, there’s another reason to appreciate these funky plants.
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