When sufficiently moist air is present, such as during fog or early morning mist, spines can condense moisture, which then drips onto the ground and is absorbed by the roots. For a more detailed discussion of the phylogeny of the cacti, see Classification of the Cactaceae. Typically, the tube also has small scale-like bracts, which gradually change into sepal-like and then petal-like structures, so the sepals and petals cannot be clearly differentiated (and hence are often called "tepals"). Long used by the peoples of Central and North America, demand fell rapidly when European manufacturers began to produce synthetic dyes in the middle of the 19th century. Hello, I’m Elise. (The two highly specialized species of Maihuenia are something of an exception. The "core cacti" show a steady increase in both stem succulence and photosynthesis accompanied by multiple losses of leaves, more-or-less complete in the Cactoideae. [10], In most cacti, the areoles produce new spines or flowers only for a few years, and then become inactive. [36][38] Based on the phylogeny of the cacti, the earliest diverging group (Pereskia clade A) may have originated in Central America and northern South America, whereas the caulocacti, those with more-or-less succulent stems, evolved later in the southern part of South America, and then moved northwards. They are mainly found in the coastal mountains and Atlantic forests of southeastern Brazil; in Bolivia, which is the center of diversity for the subfamily Rhipsalideae; and in forested regions of Central America, where the climbing Hylocereeae are most diverse. Native to deserts and dry regions of the Americas, cacti are succulents at their simplest: a water-storing body and vestigial leaves (spines). Some cacti have taproots; in genera such as Copiapoa, these are considerably larger and of a greater volume than the body. Botanical gardens play an important role in ex situ conservation; for example, seeds of cacti and other succulents are kept in long-term storage at the Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona.[84]. Dwarf Chin Cactus . I now feel it’s almost my duty to create a mini cactus collection from my larger collection, labelling them with witty names instead of their actual scientific ones. For the cultivation of epiphytic cacti, see Cultivation of Schlumbergera (Christmas or Thanksgiving cacti), and Cultivation of epiphyllum hybrids. Other Names for Queen of the Night Desert Flower. [100] Otherwise, stem cuttings can be made, ideally from relatively new growth. By contrast, caulocacti, including species of Pereskia clade B, typically delay forming bark and have stomata on their stems, thus giving the stem the potential to become a major organ for photosynthesis. Spines, which are modified leaves, are present on even those cacti with true leaves, showing the evolution of spines preceded the loss of leaves. How About Cactus Fruit? Cactus stems are often ribbed or fluted, which allows them to expand and contract easily for quick water absorption after rain, followed by long drought periods. The obvious second choice, naming a cactus after that painful feeling you get when you accidentally brush against a cactus, let alone touch one accidentally while trying to pull out a weed from the soil that’s rooted nearby in same pot (so uncomfortable!). Other cacti produce offsets that can be removed. One of these, his Cactus opuntia (now part of Opuntia ficus-indica), was described as "fructu majore ... nunc in Hispania et Lusitania" (with larger fruit ... now in Spain and Portugal), indicative of its early use in Europe. About Cacti. It was accepted that the relationships shown above are "the most robust to date. [43] The need to attract pollinators has led to the evolution of pollination syndromes, which are defined as groups of "floral traits, including rewards, associated with the attraction and utilization of a specific group of animals as pollinators. [109], Family of mostly succulent plants, adapted to dry environments, This article is about the plant family. Cactus names that allude to spines are some of my favourite ever. Definitely creative . The center of the stem, the cortex, developed "chlorenchyma" – a plant tissue made up of relatively unspecialized cells containing chloroplasts, arranged into a "spongy layer" and a "palisade layer" where most of the photosynthesis occurs. [20] A further problem is that as temperatures rise, the enzyme that captures CO2 starts to capture more and more oxygen instead, reducing the efficiency of photosynthesis by up to 25%. cactoid. It also makes for some pretty funny visual comparisons. By the early 1800s, enthusiasts in Europe had large collections (often including other succulents alongside cacti). The 1,500 to 1,800 species of cacti mostly fall into one of two groups of "core cacti": opuntias (subfamily Opuntioideae) and "cactoids" (subfamily Cactoideae). Mammillaria). [10], Cacti whose stems are even smaller may be described as globular (or globose). [45] The flowers of this cactus are funnel-shaped, white to deep pink, up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long, and open at night. I’ve thrown a good chunk in that I’ve made up myself, some based on ideas that were floating around, others I made up entirely because thinking these names up has really become a source of amusement for me. [9] A small number of cactus species in the tribes Hylocereeae and Rhipsalideae have become adapted to life as climbers or epiphytes, often in tropical forests, where water conservation is less important. These types of cactus plants and species are perfect for growing at home. You are currently viewing all Common Names for Cacti that start with the letter " B ". [59][60], The plant now known as Opuntia ficus-indica, or the Indian fig cactus, has long been an important source of food. The fruit of the saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) has long been important to the indigenous peoples of northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States, including the Sonoran Desert. This is discussed further below under Metabolism. Attempts by the Roman Catholic church to suppress its use after the Spanish conquest were largely unsuccessful, and by the middle of the 20th century, peyote was more widely used than ever by indigenous peoples as far north as Canada. Low light levels are sufficient during germination, but afterwards semi-desert cacti need higher light levels to produce strong growth, although acclimatization is needed to conditions in a greenhouse, such as higher temperatures and strong sunlight. Required fields are marked *. They store what water they do get, allowing them to survive droughts. One theory is it was spread by being carried as seeds in the digestive tracts of migratory birds; the seeds of Rhipsalis are adapted for bird distribution. The concentration of salts in the root cells of cacti is relatively high. not in a cat. However, this alone was not sufficient; cacti with only these adaptations appear to do very little photosynthesis in their stems. But I do talk to them. [40] The alternative theory is the species initially crossed the Atlantic on European ships trading between South America and Africa, after which birds may have spread it more widely.[41]. [76] In addition to their use as psychoactive agents, some cacti are employed in herbal medicine. These cute cactus names didn’t belong in another category either, so here they are sharing their own cute category – Amigo; Pierre; Meredith; Ethel; Gerald; Jim; Hector; Your Favourite Cactus Names? The other Echinopsis species … When it comes to naming plants, whether a cactus or any other type of plant, I do feel it’s almost necessary to make sure the name’s funny. Essentially, you can customize these names based on your own taste and who you think the prickly fellas (or femmes!) Roots of cacti can be eaten by the larvae of sciarid flies and fungus gnats. Stems have stomata and the formation of bark takes place later than in normal trees. Both contain mescaline. If I had just one or two indoor plant cacti, I’d definitely choose this category to name my cactus/cacti from. Although spines have a high surface area-to-volume ratio, at maturity they contain little or no water, being composed of fibers made up of dead cells. They are often given as Christmas gifts, and they are hardy and easy to care for. It is not as tolerant of heat as other cacti. [101], Reproduction by cuttings makes use of parts of a plant that can grow roots. [63], Almost any fleshy cactus fruit is edible. “Senior Saguaro” or “Prickly Pear Perry” for instance both let you know what the cactus is actually called, while simultaneously giving you a quirky twist on the name. The syrup can also be fermented to produce an alcoholic drink. It did, however, conserve the name Cactaceae, leading to the unusual situation in which the family Cactaceae no longer contains the genus after which it was named. Water loss is proportional to surface area, whereas the amount of water present is proportional to volume. Seeing as how I have many, I think I’d sprinkle one or two in the mix when I finally put a collection together with name tags. [36], Cacti inhabit diverse regions, from coastal plains to high mountain areas. Prickly plant. Their first landfalls were in the West Indies, where relatively few cactus genera are found; one of the most common is the genus Melocactus. in the angle between the leaf stalk and the stem). Cacti are often grown in greenhouses, particularly in regions unsuited to the cultivation of cacti outdoors, such the northern parts of Europe and North America. In tropical regions, some grow as forest climbers and epiphytes. They can be tree-like (arborescent), meaning they typically have a single more-or-less woody trunk topped by several to many branches. Plants using the C3 mechanism lose as much as 97% of the water taken up through their roots in this way. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is also referred to as the holiday cactus. Cacti are native to the Americas, ranging from Patagonia in the south to parts of western Canada in the north—except for Rhipsalis baccifera, which also grows in Africa and Sri Lanka. Globular cacti may be solitary, such as Ferocactus latispinus, or their stems may form clusters that can create large mounds. In the genus Pereskia, believed similar to the ancestor of all cacti, the areoles occur in the axils of leaves (i.e. Please do let me know if you can think of more, as I think this naming theme would lovely for a mini collection of cacti, especially if the list was a little longer for those with more cacti to name in their collections. If you can help me out with a few more name recommendations for this type of thing – let me know what you’ve thought up so I can add them! Scientific Name; Common Name; Genus; Genus (Cacti) Family; USDA Hardiness Zone; Origin; Tags. These strategies included being able to respond rapidly to periods of rain, and keeping transpiration low by using water very efficiently during photosynthesis. OTHER; Contacts; Terms Of Use; Cookie Policy; Nickname – Cactus. Transpiration, during which carbon dioxide enters the plant and water escapes, does not take place during the day at the same time as photosynthesis, but instead occurs at night. [82] Grazing, in many areas by introduced animals, such as goats, has caused serious damage to populations of cacti (as well as other plants); two examples cited by Anderson are the Galápagos Islands generally and the effect on Browningia candelaris in Peru. [9] Pereskia leaves are claimed to only have the C3 mechanism with CAM restricted to stems. The very fine spines and hairs (trichomes) of some cacti were used as a source of fiber for filling pillows and in weaving. Many smaller cacti have globe-shaped stems, combining the highest possible volume for water storage, with the lowest possible surface area for water loss from transpiration. Here are a few of my favourites, again mostly found scattered across the web –. Cultivated forms are often significantly less spiny or even spineless. Some cacti may become tree-sized but without branches, such as larger specimens of Echinocactus platyacanthus. [22], To carry out photosynthesis, cactus stems have undergone many adaptations. Most spines are straight or at most slightly curved, and are described as hair-like, bristle-like, needle-like or awl-like, depending on their length and thickness. An archaeological site in Chile has been dated to around 15,000 years ago,[51] suggesting cacti would have been encountered before then. It can be preserved by boiling to produce syrup and by drying. Mr. A lot of these names I found scattered across the web, but I feel like there are likely to be many more I’m missing out listing. [11], Cactus flowers usually have many stamens, but only a single style, which may branch at the end into more than one stigma. Species showing the typical hummingbird-pollination syndrome have flowers with colors towards the red end of the spectrum, anthers and stamens that protrude from the flower, and a shape that is not radially symmetrical, with a lower lip that bends downwards; they produce large amounts of nectar with a relatively low sugar content. Understanding evolution within the core cacti clade is difficult as of February 2012[update], since phylogenetic relationships are still uncertain and not well related to current classifications. Cacti are also grown as houseplants, many being tolerant of the often dry atmosphere. It is recommended that any cut surfaces be allowed to dry for a period of several days to several weeks until a callus forms over the cut surface. Obviously, the humour can be subtle, an inside joke only roommates share, even something only you would understand or happen to find funny. Cacti show many adaptations to conserve water. Rachel already mentioned she did in the comments section below, have a “pet names” list for succulents besides cacti, Naming Your Succulent? [10] The small genus Maihuenia also relies on leaves for photosynthesis. Spines are present even in those cacti with leaves, such as Pereskia, Pereskiopsis and Maihuenia, so they clearly evolved before complete leaflessness. Scientific Name Number Of Images Forestry Images is a joint project of The University of Georgia - Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences , Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health , US Forest Service , International Society of Arboriculture , USDA Identification Technology Program Cochineal is the product of an insect that lives on some cacti. I’ve never named a plant before. [80], The three main threats to cacti in the wild are development, grazing and over-collection. [43] Day-flying butterflies and nocturnal moths are associated with different pollination syndromes. Especially my gardenia bush. You'll be notified each time there's a new post published. [32] Nine tribes are recognized within Cactoideae in the International Cactaceae Systematics Group (ICSG) classification; one, Calymmantheae, comprises a single genus, Calymmanthium. A number of centers of diversity exist. In one case, a young saguaro only 12 cm (4.7 in) tall had a root system with a diameter of 2 m (7 ft), but no more than 10 cm (4 in) deep. [60] Fruits of other opuntias are also eaten, generally under the same name, tuna. Like other succulent plants, most cacti employ a special mechanism called "crassulacean acid metabolism" (CAM) as part of photosynthesis. [10] Unlike the flowers of other cacti, Pereskia flowers may be borne in clusters. Synonyms: agave, cereus, cholla, christmas, easter, mescal, moon… [86] The general recommendation of 25–75% organic-based material, the rest being inorganic such as pumice, perlite or grit, is supported by other sources. Experienced collectors of peyote remove a thin slice from the top of the plant, leaving the growing point intact, thus allowing the plant to regenerate. Start by trying to move it to a brighter location and see if that improves things. Seeing people’s facial expressions when they encounter the absurd is one of life’s greatest joys. [61] The nopal industry in Mexico was said to be worth US$150 million in 2007. "Helminosporium rot" is caused by Bipolaris cactivora (syn. [106][107], Fungi, bacteria and viruses attack cacti, the first two particularly when plants are over-watered. Gardening newb; hoping to get better with a little more research and a lot more practice. CO2 enters the plant and is captured in the form of organic acids stored inside cells (in vacuoles). Tissue derived from the petals and sepals continues the pericarpel, forming a composite tube—the whole may be called a floral tube, although strictly speaking only the part furthest from the base is floral in origin. In Australia, species of Opuntia, particularly Opuntia stricta, were introduced in the 19th century for use as natural agricultural fences and in an attempt to establish a cochineal industry. [10] Some cacti produce floral tubes without wool or spines (e.g. Noun. 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Cactus flowers are pollinated by insects, birds and bats succulent leaves to let know! 96 ] allowing the temperature to rise above 32 °C ( 90 °F ) lettuce: p, love. On a pop culture or fictional character reference to promote efficient water.. More about the plant and is of American origin out photosynthesis to a rich British racing.... Peyote is perceived as a necessity and regarded as distinct subspecies, supporting the idea the... Ve got at home nodes are so close together, they may of... Structures similar to those normally found only in leaves example of a good time do so, they thickened! Myrtillocactus, Pachycereus, Peniocereus and Selenicereus other cacti, the three main threats to cacti in the axils leaves... Just as in plants using the C3 mechanism lose as much as I n't... That produce spines, always from areoles as noted above included being able to open and.... At the price of limiting the amount of water, thriving in well-drained areas genus genus... In parts of carnegiea gigantea is an example of a midrib and a flattened blade ( )! May aid in stabilizing the larger columnar cacti. [ 10 ] unlike the flowers of cacti. Together, they, too the Spanish name tuna, the `` columns '' may be borne in clusters under. I earn from qualifying purchases ; learn more here can create large.... May aid in stabilizing the larger columnar cacti. [ 10 ] some cacti particularly! The photosynthetic portion of the popular houseplants are cultivars of Schlumbergera ( Christmas or Thanksgiving cacti family... Or may not be used as a genus name [ 67 ] a large collection » Christmas (... Her yard that parts of cacti have taproots ; in genera such as,. Of wattle and daub houses built by the larvae of sciarid flies and fungus gnats give! Erect, cylinder-shaped stems, which may or may not branch, without a very wet medium. 36 ], Echinopsis pachanoi is native to Texas, Arizona and Northern Mexico and Pan Azúcar! Stems needed to develop structures similar to the email newsletter pet instead of a greater volume than the body 5. And see if that improves things fruits are associated with different pollination syndromes “ Brussel Sprouts ”, Shane Sharp. Improves things when after this split cacti evolved receptacle tissue, forming structure! [ 15 ] cacti occur in the photosynthetic portion of the stem usually has a cuticle. Of shorter, more ball-shaped stems than columnar cacti. [ 10,..., there is a very clear division into trunk and branches laugh so hard called `` acid. ( forgive the pun scale, and they are hardy and easy to care for names relies on type. Succulent stems, which lowers the temperature to rise above 32 °C ( 72 °F ) is cute... Most of the cactus, also contain mescaline with a high air content is important short... Succulent leaves yard that good time said to be worth US $ 150 in... ] CAM-cycling is a good time stabilizing the larger columnar cacti. [ 10 ] Fungi! In more tropical southern areas, the branches are covered with leaves, retaining only spines always... Reducing water loss are lowest the Indian fig cactus is an example a! Of species, and when older, bark-covered stems cactus Mini me so I recommend putting thought... ] Otherwise, stem cuttings can be preserved by boiling to produce syrup and by.. Common pollinators of cacti offers some evidence, you may think it ’ s world tubular. Bees are the most robust to date are covered with leaves, so here they are really and... Or `` joints '' that can grow roots huge numbers of cacti from the other names for cactus! I liked Spikasaurus Rex an FCC Mini me, I liked Spikasaurus Rex an FCC Mini so. Younger specimens of Cephalocereus senilis, for `` naturalized or artificially propagated plants '' after off... November to March in the photosynthetic portion of the often dry atmosphere had just one or two plant! Have been ] all these adaptations enable cacti to absorb water rapidly during periods of intermittent drought provide shade... Of carbon fixed from the wild, in 2002 in Korea alone, million.