Cactus of the Month

The three most common types of mutation are crests, monstrose growth and variegation. All of these are mutations of the cellular structure.

A genus of cacti from the dry coastal deserts, particularly the Atacama Desert, of northern Chile.

Astrophytum (Bishop's Hat) is a (mostly) star shaped cactus from north/central Mexico and southern Texas, USA.

Ariocarpus is one of the treasures of the world of Cacti, from Central to Northern Mexico and Southern Texas.

Epiphytic Cacti.

One of the larger genera in the Cactus family, and one of the most variable.

One of the larger genera in the Cactus family, and one of the most variable.

From Mexico and Southern US. Usually having heavy spination and relatively small flowers, the fruits are copiously woolly. Includes the "Golden Barrel Cactus".

Melocactus are recognizable by the large cephalium that develops on mature plants. They are native from Brazil to Southern Mexico, including the Caribbean.

Parodia is a genus of cactus native to the uplands of Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay. There are about 50 species, many of which have been transferred from Eriocactus, Notocactus and Wigginsia.