Structure and physiology, reproduction, habitats and cactus evolution. Profiles link plant descriptions with publication findings and explanations of former names.
Showing 1–12 z 45 results
A genus of opuntias with segmented stems, ranging from low, spreading mats to branched shrubs and trees. Its diversity arises through the splitting of evolutionary lineages, hybridisation and multiplication of chromosome sets. [Majure et al. 2012b] [Majure et al. 2017] [2-WWW]
Czytaj about the genus OpuntiaThe genus comprises low cacti with flat segments as well as forms with long, climbing stems. Their history links Brazil’s dry forests with distant sites in Venezuela. Differences in chromosome number, the capacity to produce new shoots from fruits, and new species descriptions reveal several distinct developmental pathways in this group. [Menezes and Alves 2024] [Majure et al. 2013] [Freitas et al. 2021] [2-WWW]
Czytaj about the genus TacingaA South American genus containing two species, Salmonopuntia salmiana and S. schickendantzii. Their names also appear in earlier treatments of Opuntia and Austrocylindropuntia. [2-WWW]
Czytaj about the genus SalmonopuntiaSmall cacti of northeastern Mexico whose ribs are divided into transverse folds. Their structure combines a strongly sculptured surface with a soft stem interior and wood without fibres in the two species studied anatomically. [Porembski 1996] [Vázquez-Sánchez et al. 2017] [2-WWW]
Czytaj about the genus AztekiumThe genus contains two species with thick, ribbed stems and densely hairy apices. The small Echinocactus horizonthalonius and E. platyacanthus, which reaches metre-scale dimensions, share an evolutionary history that is also clearly visible in seedling structure. [Vargas-Luna et al. 2018] [2-WWW]
Czytaj about the genus EchinocactusA genus of North American cacti with sharp ribs, strong spines and varied fruits. It includes the low-growing Homalocephala texensis, partly buried in the substrate, the clump-forming H. polycephala and the usually solitary H. parryi. These three species were described together with Echinocactus for many years. [Vargas-Luna et al. 2018] [2-WWW]
Czytaj about the genus HomalocephalaCacti of dry North American regions whose small stems conceal very different survival strategies. Population recruitment depends on pollination, seed survival in soil, brief periods suitable for seedlings and the capacity of adult plants to regenerate their stems. [Lariviere et al. 2024] [Coles et al. 2012] [2-WWW]
Czytaj about the genus SclerocactusRibbed cacti of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Strong spines surround stems of varying sizes, and flowers develop near their tips. Studies of selected species show how reproduction depends on bees and on ants visiting extrafloral nectaries. [2-WWW] [McIntosh 2005] [Ness 2006]
Czytaj about the genus FerocactusSmall, ribbed cacti with hooked spines and nectaries near the areoles. The two accepted species encompass plants of central Mexico and an area extending from the southern United States into Mexico. [2-WWW] [Arias and Aquino 2019] [Britton and Rose 1922]
Czytaj about the genus GlandulicactusSmall cacti of Patagonian plains and Andean valleys. Similar stems conceal clear differences in flowers, fruits and underground structures. A revision combining field observations with thousands of DNA markers identified new species and clarified their relationships. [Böhnert et al. 2025]
Czytaj about the genus AustrocactusCacti of western South America, including both low-growing, colonial plants and branched columns. Daytime flowers arise on ribbed stems, and fleshy fruits contain numerous seeds. Studies of selected species reveal light-dependent germination and remarkable tissue restructuring under the influence of a parasitic plant. [2-WWW] [Ostolaza Nano 2014] [Jara-Peña et al. 2024] [Mauseth et al. 2015]
Czytaj about the genus CorryocactusColumnar cacti of South America's western coast, from southern Peru to Chile. Branched stems form shrubs and small trees. Their biology combines fog water, variable rainfall rhythms and reproduction at strongly isolated sites. DNA studies indicate a close relationship with the Patagonian Austrocactus. [2-WWW] [Merklinger et al. 2021] [Stanton et al. 2014]
Czytaj about the genus EulychniaShowing 1–12 z 12 results
A South African stem succulent in the dogbane family. It expands into clumps of fleshy stems and produces large, hairy flowers with a scent that attracts flies. [2-WWW] [13-WWW]
Czytaj profile Stapelia grandifloraA small, clump-forming succulent of the South African Karoo. Densely arranged tubercles with long tips give the stems their characteristic bristly surface. [19-WWW] [2-WWW]
Czytaj profile Huernia pillansiiA Brazilian species with glaucous-green stems, sharp ribs and golden spines near the apex. It grows on rock faces in a humid subtropical forest landscape. [2-WWW] [Anceschi and Magli 2018]
Czytaj profile Parodia magnificaThis profile covers the plant known in collections as Echinopsis subdenudata, a small, grey-green cactus with felted areoles and long white flowers. POWO includes this name within Echinopsis ancistrophora. [Cárdenas 1956] [2-WWW]
Czytaj profile Echinopsis ancistrophoraA Mexican cactus with long, three-angled tubercles tipped with papery spines. Large yellow flowers appear near the ends of young tubercles. [Britton and Rose 1922]
Czytaj profile Leuchtenbergia principisA small cactus with distinct ribs and wood whose structure changes during development. It is an example of a globular plant producing an arrangement of fibres more often associated with taller members of Cacteae. [Vázquez-Sánchez et al. 2017]
Czytaj profile Geohintonia mexicanaA strongly ribbed cactus with golden young spines and a densely hairy apex. Age changes its proportions and armature colour. Its widespread presence in cultivation accompanies a separate history of natural populations, whose understanding requires genetic studies among other approaches. [Britton and Rose 1922] [Hardesty et al. 2008]
Czytaj profile Kroenleinia grusoniiA Chilean cactus with bluish-green, cylindrical segments. It forms extensive clumps that also regenerate from detached stem fragments. Plastid DNA studies link it to the genera Airampoa and Salmonopuntia. [23-WWW] [Köhler et al. 2023]
Czytaj profile Miqueliopuntia miqueliiA low-growing, densely spined cactus endemic to the Galápagos. Its clumps occupy sparsely vegetated surfaces of solidified lava. Detailed documentation includes the original botanical description and studies of calcium oxalate crystals in its tissues. [24-WWW] [Stöcklin 2009] [Robinson 1902] [Hartl et al. 2007]
Czytaj profile Brachycereus nesioticusA species from Nuevo León whose young plants were studied during a gradual transition from greenhouse to field conditions. The comparison of substrates and exposure describes survival in a prepared batch of potted plants, with watering and protection from animals. [2-WWW] [Salas Cruz et al. 2018]
Czytaj profile Acharagma roseanumAn accepted species from Bolivia and Paraguay, historically also assigned to Browningia. Plastid data indicated separation from the principal Browningia lineage. [2-WWW] [Nyffeler 2002]
Czytaj profile Castellanosia caineanaA tree-like cactus from southwestern Mexico. Mature branches develop cephalia with a dense covering of hairs and bristles. Anatomical sections reveal specialisation of the flowering region and changes associated with its ageing. [Vázquez-Sánchez et al. 2016] [2-WWW]
Czytaj profile Mitrocereus militaris
