TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993)	previous taxon | next taxon Jepson Interchange (more information)
	©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California

CACTACEAE

CACTUS FAMILY

Edward F. Anderson (except Opuntia)

Perennial, shrub, tree, generally fleshy
Stem cylindric, spheric, or flat; surface smooth, tubercled, or ribbed (fluted); nodal areoles bear flowers, generally bear spines from center ("central spines") and margin ("radial spines") (Opuntia areoles bear small, barbed, deciduous bristles sometimes called glochids, generally also bear spines)
Leaf generally 0
Flower generally solitary, bisexual, sessile, ± radial; perianth parts generally many, grading from scale-like to petal-like; stamens many; ovary appearing inferior, ± submerged in stem, so generally with areoles on surface, style 1, stigma lobes generally many
Fruit generally fleshy, generally indehiscent, spiny, scaly, or smooth
Seeds many
Genera in family: 93 genera, ± 2000 species: especially Am deserts; many cultivated
Etymology: (Greek: thorny plant)
Reference: [Benson 1982 Cacti of US & Can; Hunt & Taylor eds 1990 Bradleya 8:85–107]

ECHINOCEREUS

HEDGEHOG CACTUS

Stems 1–many, often densely clumped, each < 1 m, 2–10 cm diam, cylindric; ribs 5–13, prominent; tubercles ± indistinct; spines straight or curved
Flowers on old growth, often near upper margin of spine-bearing areoles; ovary spiny
Fruit spheric to ovoid, glabrous; spines deciduous
Seed ovoid to ± spheric, tubercled, generally black
Species in genus: 47 species: sw US, Mex
Etymology: (Greek: hedgehog candle)
Reference: [Taylor 1985 Genus Echinocereus]