Plant Identification Database:
Cactaceae (Cactus)
Order: Caryophyllales; Class: Dicotyledonae

The plant data on this site are a record of Bob Ronnow's field observations
which vary in accuracy and change with experience. For accurate and complete
information please use the links provided for each plant species and family.

Plant Families
Glossary of Botanical Terms

CLASSIFICATION
LEAVES
FLOWERS
FRUIT
STEM
ECOLOGY
CLASSIFICATION
Common Name (Image)
Scientific Name (Notes)
Genus
LV: Attachment
LV: Shape
LV: Edge
LV: Apex/Base
LV: Size/Surface
FL: Petals/Sepals
FL: Color
FL: Arrangement
FL: Size/Season
FL: Stamen/Pistil/Ovary
FR: Type
FR: Color
FR: Size/Season
ST: Type/Size/Growth
ST: Surface/Color
ST: Buds/Roots
EC: Edible
EC: Habitat
EC: Observations
Common Name (Image)
Scientific Name (Notes)
Other Names
Cactaceae: LV: u. absent; FL: 7+ parts, actinomorphic, u. solitary, stamens numerous, ovary inferior; FR: berry, u. spines; ST: fleshy, succulent, spines, roots shallow; buds spiny & bristly areole;; EC: FR u. edible, u. xeric
u. absent P: numerous; S: numerous; actinomorphic u. solitary S: numerous; O: inferior berry, u. spines, spiny & bristly areole fleshy, succulent, spines shallow FR u. edible u. xeric Cactaceae: LV: u. absent; FL: 7+ parts, actinomorphic, u. solitary, stamens numerous, ovary inferior; FR: berry, u. spines; ST: fleshy, succulent, spines, roots shallow; buds spiny & bristly areole;; EC: FR u. edible, u. xeric
Saguaro Cereus giganteus; Carnegiea gigantea Cereus; Carnegiea 7 or more parts White >12' Spine, Green Desert AZ Saguaro Cereus giganteus; Carnegiea gigantea
Beehive nipple cactus Coryphantha vivipara Coryphantha Desert AZ Beehive nipple cactus Coryphantha vivipara
Strawberry hedgehog Echinocereus engelmannii Echinocereus Desert AZ Strawberry hedgehog Echinocereus engelmannii
Mojave hedgehog cactus Echinocereus mojavensis; Echinocereus triglochidiatus Echinocereus red 1-2' Capitol Reef NP UT Mojave hedgehog cactus Echinocereus mojavensis; Echinocereus triglochidiatus Kingcup cactus, Claretcup, Mojave mound cactus
Compass barrel Ferocactus acanthodes Ferocactus Desert AZ Compass barrel Ferocactus acanthodes
Arizona barrel cactus, candybarrel cactus Ferocactus wislizenii Ferocactus Orange, yellow, red Yellow Shrub, >1', Erect succulent, Spines fishhook, purple Desert AZ Arizona barrel cactus, candybarrel cactus Ferocactus wislizenii
Green-flowered fishhook cactus; Large-fruited fishhook cactus Mammillaria spp. Mammillaria <1', Globular; Tomentose; Spine (fishhook), Gray Desert AZ Green-flowered fishhook cactus; Large-fruited fishhook cactus Mammillaria spp.
Buckthorn cholla Opuntia acanthocarpa Opuntia Desert AZ Buckthorn cholla Opuntia acanthocarpa
Teddy bear cholla Opuntia bigelovii Opuntia Green/Brown Winter; Spring Yellow <1" >1' Spine, Green Desert AZ Teddy bear cholla Opuntia bigelovii
Brittle pricklypear Opuntia fragilis Opuntia <1' Grand Gulch, UT Brittle pricklypear Opuntia fragilis little prickly pear
Chainfruit cholla; Jumping cholla Opuntia fulgida Opuntia Red/Pink/Orange Spine Desert AZ Chainfruit cholla; Jumping cholla Opuntia fulgida
Tree cholla Opuntia imbricata Opuntia 7+ parts purple 2-3", May-Jul yellow, fleshy 3-7' tuberculate, spines pinyon juniper desert Abiquiu Lake NM Tree cholla Opuntia imbricata cane cholla, walking stick cholla, chainlink cactus
Engelmann prickly pear Opuntia phaeacantha; Opuntia engelmannii Opuntia 7 or more parts Yellow Spring Flattened; Spine, Green Fruit raw; Stem raw Desert AZ Engelmann prickly pear Opuntia phaeacantha; Opuntia engelmannii
Common Name (Image)
Scientific Name (Notes)
Genus
LV: Attachment
LV: Shape
LV: Edge
LV: Apex/Base
LV: Size/Surface
FL: Petals/Sepals
FL: Color
FL: Arrangement
FL: Size/Season
FL: Stamen/Pistil/Ovary
FR: Type
FR: Color
FR: Size/Season
ST: Type/Size/Growth
ST: Surface/Color
ST: Buds/Roots
EC: Edible
EC: Habitat
EC: Observations
Common Name (Image)
Scientific Name (Notes)
Other Names
CLASSIFICATION
LEAVES
FLOWERS
FRUIT
STEM
ECOLOGY
CLASSIFICATION