What types of cactus are there? A detailed introduction to the characteristics of common varieties

What types of cactus are there?

The cactus is a plant of the Cactaceae family native to the grasslands of South America, with 25 species including the Ivory Golden Barrel Cactus and the Large Golden Barrel Cactus. The Silver Ball Cactus and the Golden Ball Cactus are the most common types, covered on the outside with woolly down. Hairy cactus types have smaller flowers, usually yellow or red, sometimes only 1 cm (0.5 in) in diameter. Hairless cactus groups have larger flowers, reaching up to 6 cm.

I. Classification by genus

Classified by genus, the types of cactus can be divided into: cactus (ball cactus), short-haired ball, Changsheng ball, Jinsheng ball, Wangsheng ball, and Golden Tiger ball, etc.

1. Cactus: also known as grass ball, or Huasheng ball. The stem is round and spherical, and old stems are cylindrical; the flowers are white and fragrant.

2. Short-haired ball: the plant is spherical or cylindrical, and after blooming the flowers are very large and white in color.

3. Changsheng ball: the body is yellow-green or light green, with large, light pink, fragrant flowers.

4. Jinsheng ball: the body is yellow-green, clustered, with large white flowers.

5. Wangsheng ball: the plant is gray-green, spherical or cylindrical, with large dark pink or deep red flowers.

6. Golden Tiger ball: the stem is round and spherical, solitary or forming clumps. The top of the ball is densely covered with golden-yellow woolly hairs. It has 21-37 ribs, a very distinctive feature.

II. Classification by appearance

Classified by appearance, the types of cactus can be divided into: downy types, tubercled types, treasure types, hairy columnar types, strong-spined types, sea urchin types, top-flowering types, etc. The spines and hairs of cactus also vary in length, shortness, sparseness, and density; the wool colors include red, yellow, golden yellow, etc. Among them, the cactus varieties that can be grafted include Fei Mudan, Cui Mudan, Shanchui, Red Sun, Jinhua, Jinniu, Bai Yuweng, and Crab Claw Orchid, etc.

III. Classification by whether they are edible

Classified by whether they are edible, cactus can be divided into edible cactus and ornamental cactus. The two have some differences: edible cactus has 12-14 ribs, with straight and very hard spines; ornamental cactus is not edible, its rib count varies, and its forms are many, with soft pale yellow spines, while edible cactus is dark green and the whole plant has a strong cactus flavor, whereas ornamental cactus does not.

Further reading: How to water a cactus? How often to water it?, Does cactus protect against radiation?