Cactus – Cereus, Notocactus, Opuntia, Echinocactus and Echinopsis spp.

Common Name: Cactus, Prickly Pear, Hedgehog Cactus,

Botanical Name: Cereus, Notocactus, Opuntia, Echinocactus and Echinopsis spp., SEER-ee-us, noh-toh-KAK-tus, oh-PUNT-ee-uh, eck-ee-no-KAK-tus and eck-in-OPP-sis

Decorative Life: Indefinite for foliage, a few days to weeks for flowers.

Flower Color: Pink, Red, White, Yellow

Availability: Year Round

Do not irrigate plants right after planting in order to give any below ground damage tissue to heal or cure thus reducing the chances of disease development.

• Members of the Cactaceae (cactus) family.
• Many are native to the drier regions of North and South America. However, certain species come from locations such as Africa, Madagascar and Ceylon.
• Related species include Christmas Cactus.

• Plants are classified as dicotyledons, leaves not parallel veined.
• Leaves or stems are fleshy, often covered with spines.
• Flower fragrance depends on species and cultivar.

Some are chill sensitive, store above 55 degrees F.

• The cactus family is very large with over 2000 species.
• Cereus from the Greek “cera”, meaning wax, referring to the torch-like shape of young plants.
• Direct and filtered sunlight levels are best.