There are many different kinds of cactus plants.
For example, one stereotypical image of a cactus is of a plant that grows at ground level. In fact, some cactus plants grow high up in trees. Such cacti are called "epiphytic" because they grow "in the air" well above ground. For example, the epiphytic rat's tail (Aporocactusspp), orchid (Epiphyllum spp) and wickerwork (Selenicereus spp) cactus plants have airy roots that prefer to grow without soil.
Another stereotypical image of a cactus is of a smaller version of the giant saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea), which grows into a towering 40 foot/12 meter column with branching arms. But that distinct profile is not the only shape that a cactus plant can assume. Some examples of different cactus shapes are the following:
1. The living rock or fossil cactus (Ariocarpus spp) takes on a rosette form. Most often, it is found growing underground.
2. The torch cactus (Cleistocactus spp) grows many ground-hugging, branching arms. The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp) also sports branching arms that look like fleshy pads.
3. The spineless Astrophytum is an example of one of the rotund types of cactus plants. Another example is the barrel cactus (Ferocactus spp), which looks exactly the way in which it is described. The chin or spider (Gymnocalycium spp) and pincushion (Mammillaria spp) cactus plants are shaped like globes. The globe-like Turk's cap cactus (Melocactus spp) has a densely spined crown that must be seen to be believed.
4. The Barbados gooseberry or rose cactus (Pereskia spp) grows as a bush, climber or tree.
Some other surprises in the cactus plant world are the beehive (Coryphantha spp) and agave (Leuchtenbergia principis) cactus plants. Both plants lack the stereotypically spreading, shallow, fibrous roots that are the hallmark of cactus plants. Instead, agave and beehive cactus plants have roots that look like some of our tuberous vegetables.
Still another surprise is the yellow peanut cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus f. lutea). This cactus always has a color that falls within the yellow range of the spectrum. The reason lies in the plant's lack of chlorophyll. In fact, it has to be grafted onto a green cactus in order to get energizing photosynthetic products that green plants take for granted.
From Wikipedia, more below:
"A cactus (plural: cacti, cactuses or cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae."
Ariocarpus is the living rock cactus of southern Texas and Mexico. It's brown or gray in color, and almost spineless. It's small, and grows in a cone shaped pattern. Carnegiea gigantea is the giant saguaro cactus. Its native habitat is the southwestern United States of America and northwestern Mexico. It's one of the tallest cactus plants, what with a mature height of at least 40 feet/12 meters. Copiapoais native to Chile. It's a small plant that's covered with a light wax. Its flowers are yellow. Epiphyllum is the orchid cactus plant. Its native habitat ranges from the tropical jungles of Mexico to northern South America. It lives out its life in the air by growing from trees, instead of soil or water. It has broad leaf like stems from whose edges grow flowers.
The possibilities for types of flowers are many within the cactus family. For example, the epiphytic rat's tail cactus [Aporocactus spp] sports vivid jungle colors on long necked blooms. The living rock or fossil cactus [Ariocarpus spp] shows yellow, white, red or pink colors on open faced blooms. The sea urchin or silver dollar cactus [Astrophytum asterias] has deep red throated, large, bright yellow daisy like flowers. The giant saguaro cactus [Carnegiea gigantea] gives forth big, creamy white, funnel shaped blooms. The old man cactus [Cephalocereus senilis] flowers yellow, white or pink trumpet blooms on summer nights. Another old man cactus [Espostoa spp] brings forth foul smelling, pale tubular flowers on spring and summer nights. The prickly pear cactus [Opuntia spp] blossoms as vividly colored, poppy like flowers in spring, summer, and fall. And the glory of Texas [Thelocactus bicolor] blooms as feathery, flat faced flowers.
One type of cactus is the epiphytic rat's tail cactus [Aporocactus], for trees, rocky crevices, and hanging baskets. Another type is the living rock or fossil cactus [Ariocarpus], whose growth is cone shaped and mostly underground. Still another type is the giant saguaro cactus [Carnegiea gigantea] of spaces that need towering forms for landscape interest and ground surface shade.
2,000 maybe more
taxomy
There are two types of cactus, columnar cactus and climbing cactus. Climbing cactus e.g dragon fruit plant.
cactus is a very common plant due to the hot weather and desserts in Arizona. cactus or more than one cacti
Generically they are called "cactus" plants or "cacti"
the cactus belongs in the plant group.
A cactus plant branch :D
well a cactus plant has many parts like flowers
A cactus is a plant. It does not eat.
A cactus is a plant, a dicot.
The tip of a cactus is where growth occurs in a cactus plant. If this is badly damaged the plant may die or begin to grow elsewhere in the plant giving the plant an abnormal appearance.
Yes, cactus spines are living parts of the cactus plant. They owe their existence to growth buds on the plant's surface. From the growth buds also come a cactus plant's flowers.
No, the barrel cactus is a vascular plant.
The cactus root in the ground beneath the cactus plant.