Cactaceae

Cactus Family

By: George Rogers

Members of the Cactus Family are restricted to the New World. Unlike other spiny stem succulents, in cacti the lowermost spine in each cluster (areole) represents a stem leaf, and the rest of the spine cluster is the leaf’s axillary bud (each spine corresponding to one leaf). Cactus flowers have many separate petals, numerous stamens, and inferior ovaries. Texas-Rose is an unusual leaf-bearing cactus.

Plants listed in the manual include:

Hylocereus undatus

Pereskia bleo