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University
of Rhode Island GreenShare Factsheets
Cacti
and Succulents
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| Aporocactus
flagelliformis |
Rat-tail
cactus; easily identified by its slender, creeping form and
small ubiquitous reddish spines |
| Astrophytum |
the "Star"
caci or "Bishop's Caps" |
| Cephalocereus
senilis |
the popular "Old Man" cactus;
has a spiny body covered with long, silver-white hairs |
| Chamaecereus
silvestri |
"Peanut" cactus;
its numerous branches protructing from base are covered with
rows of soft bristle-like white spines |
| Echinocereus |
the "Hedgehog" cacti;
several varieties of these small, rounded cacti are available,
all noted for their large, colorful flowers |
| Epiphyllum |
the "Orchid" cacti;
almost epiphytic with a vigorous growth habit and large day-blooming
flowers |
| Ferocactus
|
the "Barrel"
or "Fishhook" cacti; all are barrel-shaped with vicious
hooked spines |
| Mammillaria |
a large
group often referred to as the "Pin Cusion" or "Wart"
cacti; two notables: "Old Lady" cactus (M. hahniana) and "Golden
Stars" (M. elongata) |
| Notocactus |
the "Ball" cacti;
probably the easiest to grow and most reliable in flowering.
Many available varieties. |
| Opuntia |
the "Prickly
Pears" or Pad cacti; "Bunny Ears" (O. microdasys),
Cinnamon cactus (O.rufida) and "Irish Mittens"
(O. vulgaris) are the most popular of this large genera
of cacti. |
| Parodia
|
"Tom
Thumb" cactus; a small, flattened globe cactus, it is
a reliable form in a home environment |
| Rebutia |
the "Crown"
or "Pigmy" cacti; these dwarf forms are prized for
their unusually large flowers in the spring. |
| Rhipsalidopsis |
Easter
cactus; an epiphyte knwon for its compact, shrubby growth habit
and beautiful showy flowers in the early spring |
| Schlumbergera |
Christmas
cactus (S. bridgesii); an epiphyte easily identified
by its flattened, leaf-like jointed branches with scalloped
edges. Plant blooms during the winter months (short days). |
| Trichocereus |
Torch cacti;
columnar in growth with small spines atached to its closely-ribbed
body |
| Zygocactus |
Crab or
Thanksgiving cactus (Z. truncactus); an epiphyte similar
in form to Christmas cactus (S. bridgesii), but blooms
3-4 weeks earlier. Tips of branches hold two small spines. |
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| Adronischus |
several
species are available, many uniquely different in shape and
foliage color |
| Aeonium |
resembles
the Sedum and Sempervirum groups in appearance,
many grow into small trees with bare stems capped with spatula-shaped
leaves |
| Agave |
the
"Century" plants; most species grow too large to be
recommended for houseplant use. Two recommended kinds: A.
Stricta (Hedgehog Agave) and A. filifera (Thread
Agave) |
| Aloe |
a
member of the Liliaceae family (Lily). Several varieties
are available; recommended: A. variegata (Partridge-breasted
Aloe) |
| Cotyledon |
this
group includes a large variety of distinctive forms and sizes |
| Crassula |
the
"Jade" plants; the most common species is C. argentea
of which several varieties are available |
| Dinteranthus |
the
"Split-rock" succulents, closely resembling the Lithops |
| Echeveria |
popularly
called "Hens and Chicks;" large number of species
from which to choose |
| Euphorbia |
a
large and diverse group of plants, easily identified by the
milky latex sap which exudes when the stems of these plants
are injured. Most noteworthy are: Crown of Thorns (E. splendens)
and Candelabra Cactus (E. lactea). Most members of
this genus, such as poinsettia (E. pulcherrima) are not
considered "true" succulents. |
| Gasteria |
a
group referred to as "Ox-tongue" cacti; many are similar
to Aloe |
| Haworthia |
a
large genus which features many curious forms of stemless rosetted
succulents |
| Kalanchoe |
a
large and diverse group featuring many seemingly unrelated plants;
for example: Christmas kalanchoe (K. blossfeldiana),
life or "Mother of Mary" plant (Bryophyllum or
K. daigremontiana) and Panda plant (K. tomentosa) |
| Lithops |
the
"Stone-faces" or "Living Stones;" these
miniature succulents resemble small pepples or rock |
| Sedum |
the
"Stone-crops" or "Live forever;" the most
popular of this group are Burro-tail (S. morganianum)
and Jelly-beans (S. pachyphyllum) |
| Sempervirum |
a
small group of succulents, but very popular and easily grown.
Recommended: House leek (S. tectorum calcareum) |
| Senecio |
the
"Groundsels;" a varied group of herbaceous shrubs
and small trees, a few succulent types may be grown as houseplants |
| Stapelia |
the
"Star-flower" group noted for their floral display;
three commonly available forms are: "Starflower" (S.
nobilis), "Carrion flower" (S. variegata)
and "Giant-toad" (S. gigantea) |
Adapted
from the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 2001
Pesticides
are poisonous! Read and follow all safety precautions on labels.
Handle carefully and store in original containers out of reach
of children, pets or livestock. Dispose of empty containers
immediately, in a safe manner and place. Pesticides should never
be stored with foods or in areas where people eat.
When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement
is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials.
Be sure that the pesticide you intend to use is registered for
the state of use.
The user of this information assumes all risk for personal injury
or property damage.
For more
information, call the URI CE Gardening and Food Safety Hotline
at 1-800-448-1011 or (401)874-2929 from outside Rhode Island;
Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 2 pm.
University
of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension provides equal program
opportunities.
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