Desert Cactus Plants

Cactus spikes contrast sharply with flowering blooms

With unusual spikes and a wide variety of shapes, cactus plants have captivated people for centuries. The coat of arms for Mexico has an eagle atop a cactus, clutching a snake. Many cactus varieties are indeed found in the desert areas of Mexico as well as in southeastern California, Arizona and parts of West Texas and New Mexico. Hundreds of varieties of desert cactus plants exist, with new varieties being discovered often.

The Protected Saguaro

Mighty Saguaro

The saguaro cactus takes 10 years to grow just 1 inch tall but then grow to reach gargantuan proportions. Saguaros approaching 200 years old have as many as 50 arms. Saguaros and many other cactus varieties in Arizona are protected under the Arizona Native Plant Law, which prohibits digging up saguaros and other protected species without a permit and approval of the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

Flowering Beauties

Christmas Cactus Flowers

Many cactus varieties produce stunning flowers. The saguaro blooms in May and June. However, to see the blooms, you have to be quick, because the saguaro blooms only at night, for just a few hours. Some cactus varieties produce flowers that last only a little longer, like the Christmas cactus and Easter cactus, with layered flowers that droop from the end of flexible plant arms. Nature shows its tendency to emphasize striking contrast with the extremely spiked barrel cactus, which produces brightly clustered flowers of red, yellow, orange and white.

Prickly Pear and Cholla

Prickly pear cactus

The prickly pear cactus belongs to the genus Opuntia with over a dozen varieties carrying such names as Hedgehog, Texas, Santa Rita and Pancake. Prickly pears have paddle-shaped arms, produce flowers and bear fruit. The fruit of the prickly pear, sometimes known as cactus figs, can be eaten fresh or used to make candies, jelly--and a well-known drink on the Island of Malta called a Bajtra. On Malta prickly pears grow so prolifically that they are used as wall-like dividers across acreage.

Cholla are also in the genus Opuntia, but instead of paddle-shaped arms have stems with segmented joints. Cholla are shrubby cacti that flower, and varieties have names that include Teddy Bear, Devil Cholla, and Buckthorn.

All Cacti Are Succulents

Cacti retain water.

Succulents are not all cacti but all cacti are succulents. Cacti are highly water retaining and juice or sap oozes out when branches or arms are broken. Cacti are hardy and do well in hot, arid temperatures. Cacti are perennials, not annuals, and can live a long time. Many people mistakenly believe cacti do not need water to thrive, but that is not true. Water cacti sparingly when the soil feels dry to the touch an inch below the soil surface.

Smallest of Them All

Cacti grow in some mountain areas.

The current title of smallest cactus goes to Blossfeldia, which tops out at half an inch in diameter. Blossfeldia grows in the eastern Andes of Bolivia and Argentina at 4,000 to 12,000 feet. Blossfeldia produces a blossoming flower nearly as large as itself.

Pollination

Bats help spread cactus seeds.

Most cacti are self-incompatible, meaning they need a pollinator. Certain moths and bees can access the innermost part of a cactus to spread pollination. Creatures like bats, mice and birds eat cactus fruit and help spread their seeds across the desert.

Cholla have segmented joints.

References

• Pima: Saguaro Cactus
• U. of Arizona Ext..: Native Plant Law of Arizona
• Cacti Guide: Blossfeldia

Resources

• Flowering Cactus