The world of plants is often one of strange beauty and pure wonder. Coming in many shapes and sizes, plants are all unique in some way, yet cacti are some of the most amazing plants in the world. Protected by an outer layer of spines, cacti endure some of the harshest and demanding environments.
Relying on their incredible water storage abilities and thick skin to prevent water loss, cacti are hidden deep in the driest deserts and even up in the peaks of some mountains. While cacti are certainly unique amongst other plants, some are bizare—even by cacti standards.
Relying on their incredible water storage abilities and thick skin to prevent water loss, cacti are hidden deep in the driest deserts and even up in the peaks of some mountains. While cacti are certainly unique amongst other plants, some are bizare—even by cacti standards.
1. Agave Cactus
Known as the Agave cactus, Leuchtenbergia principis is unique because of the straight, finger-like protrusions from its main stem.
Leuchtenbergia principis (agave cactus or prism cactus), the sole species of the genus Leuchtenbergia, is a species of cactus. It is native to north-central Mexico (San Luis Potosi, Chihuahua). The genus is named after Maximilian Eugen Joseph (1817–1852), Duke of Leuchtenberg and amateur botanist.
It is very slow-growing but can eventually grow up to 70 cm high, with a cylindrical stem which becomes bare and corky at the base with age. It has long, slender, grayish-green tubercles 6–12 cm long, with purplish-red blotches at their tips. The tubercles are topped with papery spines, making the plant resemble an agave; old, basal tubercles dry up and fall off.
After four years or so, yellow, funnel-shaped flowers 5–6 cm diameter may be borne at the tubercle tips. The fruit is smooth and green, 3 cm long and 2 cm broad. It has a large, tuberous taproot.
2 Ariocarpus Fissuratus (“Living Rocks”)
2 Ariocarpus Fissuratus (“Living Rocks”)
Ariocarpus fissuratus (formerly known as Anhalonium fissuratus) is a species of cactus found in small numbers in northern Mexico and Texas in the United States. Common names include living rock cactus, false peyote, and chautle.
3. Discocactus horstii
Discocactus is a genus of tropical cacti. The name comes from the ancient Greek diskos (=disc) because of its shape. Discocactus plants are endemic to southern Brazil, eastern Bolivia, and northern Paraguay. These species are in the risk of extinction in the wild.
The plants have a slightly flattened spherical shape. The areoles bear sharp spines. At the apex of the adult plants, there is a wooly cephalium, white or shaded with yellow or grey. The white nocturnal flowers appear on the sides of the cephalium. The fruits are pink or red and contain black seeds.
The plants have a slightly flattened spherical shape. The areoles bear sharp spines. At the apex of the adult plants, there is a wooly cephalium, white or shaded with yellow or grey. The white nocturnal flowers appear on the sides of the cephalium. The fruits are pink or red and contain black seeds.
4. Hylocereus undatus
Hylocereus undatus (white-fleshed pitahaya) is a species of Cactaceae and is the most cultivated species in the genus. It is used both as an ornamental vine and as a fruit crop – the pitahaya or dragon fruit. The native origin of the species has never been resolved.
5. Astrophytum caput-medusae
One of a kind in form, A. caput-medusae grows as its name implies, like the snake hair of medusa. Recently discovered, A. caput-medusae was first put into its own classification until it was discovered that its flowers were identical to those of the Astrophytum genus, as well as its small tufts of soft wool-like hairs from its the stem. This secured its place as an Astrophytum species.
Producing brilliant yellow flowers with red centers, A. caput-medusae readily produces some of the largest seeds among cacti, measuring between 1/8th and 1/4th of an inch across.
