The plant world is beautiful and amazing. Plants of different sizes and shapes grow on our planet, but cacti, by right, are considered the most unique representatives of the flora. We have already introduced our curious reader to the largest cacti in the world, and now it's time to introduce the species of small cacti, both wild and growing at home.
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Discocactus horstii
This species grows in small areas in the mountainous regions of Brazil at an altitude of 1,800 to 2,000 meters above sea level. Basically, Discocactus horstii takes root on sandy soils and quartz gravel.
A small cactus with a segmented trunk does not grow more than 5 cm in height, but the diameter of the stem can vary from 2 to 8 cm. Flowers bloom only at night and only in the summer. When flowering, it produces an incredible aroma, and the flower itself is mostly white.
Since there is little moisture in rocky soils, Discocactus horstii has adapted to absorb moisture from the air with spikes and its many needles.
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Lophophora williamsii
The Indian tribes of Mexico and the United States called this plant Peyotl, and used it to produce an alcoholic drink, with which it was introduced into a trance during the initiation rites.
A small cactus, not growing more than 8 cm, has a spherical shape with smooth edges and no needles. Flowers appear at the top of the stem, and at the same time Peyotl can throw out several small flowers.
Cultivation in Russia is punishable by law, and liability arises if more than two copies of Lophophora williamsii are found in your home.
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Ariocarpus fissuratus
Literally, this type of cactus is called "fractured," because of that. That its tubercles on the stem are covered with numerous cracks.
The mountain range of Mexico and the USA chose the plant as its habitat, and some specimens were found at an altitude of 1,500 m above sea level. The spherical stem does not grow in diameter more than 10 cm, and does not have processes.
At home it is better to keep it on the sunny side, so he loves bright light. In summer, you can water once a week, but in winter it does not require watering at all.
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Agave cactus
The Latin name for this beautiful cactus is Leuchtenbergia principis, and is named after the Duke of Lichtenberg Maximilian Eugene Joseph, who was a great lover of wild plants.
Usually the stems are low, but with proper care they can reach 70 cm. Botanists are attracted by the unusual shape of the cactus, as well as magnificent flowers with a diameter of up to 6 cm, and having a wide range of colors.
Note that some types of Agave are used for the production of tequila, because the birthplace of this cactus is Mexico.
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Schlumbergera
A small cactus with small flowers has long settled in greenhouses and human dwellings, since it blooms in an unusual period for plants - in winter.
In the wild, they grow mainly on tree branches or on rocks, forming small shrubs. This species was described by the botanist Charles Lemaire, and named it in the middle of the 19th century in honor of the French collector of unique plants Frederic Schlumberberg.
This handsome man comes from Brazil. At home, it is during the flowering period that it requires abundant watering, and how to care for Schlumbergera can be found in any manual for gardeners.
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Mammillaria
The list, which includes decorative and miniature cacti, is continued by Mammillaria, the largest cactus genus with more than 180 species.
The most adapted to dry climate is the type of cacti, the stem of which grows from 1 to 20 cm in diameter, and from 2 to 40 cm high. The stems can have a spherical or oblong shape, but the flowers growing up to 8 mm have a yellow color with a reddish tint petals.
Mammillaria grow in the south of Mexico, but some species were chosen by the expanses of the southwestern United States, as well as the rocky areas of Venezuela, Colombia and Honduras.
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Rebutia minuscula
The very name Rebucius tiny indicates that for growing this species of cacti small pots will be required, since the diameter of the stem does not exceed 5 cm.
It adapts easily in dry climates, but at home requires spraying in the morning. This species was first discovered and described by Karl Moritz in 1895.
The most interesting thing is that in this species the flower does not grow at the top of the stem, but at its very base. The flower itself is small, and it is always a mystery what color it will bloom. There are bright red, pink, and even golden.
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Notocactus ottonis
A unique cactus from the genus Parody many growers grow because of the amazingly beautiful flowers, as well as the original structure of the stem.
The spherical stem with a diameter of 11 cm has from 8 to 12 ribs with radially spines. Blooms in bright red flowers reaching sizes of 4-6 cm.
Latin America is considered to be the birthplace of the plant, from where it spread throughout the world, and has become a magnificent decoration of living quarters and greenhouses.
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Espostoa
A small fluffy cactus native to Peru, got its name in honor of the director of the wonderful botanical garden in Peruvian Lima, Nicholas Esposto.
This natural "fluff" belongs to a large family, and now science knows more than 10 varieties of this unique plant. Under natural conditions, they grow on stony mountain slopes, but in the collections of flower growers some species do not grow more than 12 cm.
Because of its unusual appearance, it is often called a white cactus and a cotton cocoon.
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Pereskiopsis spathulata
A fast-growing cactus is unique, because in addition to thorns it also has leaves. It is very easy to take root on any type of soil, and the optimal average temperature for growth is 12 ° C.
In general, many gardeners are always interested in the question of how to water cacti. So with Pereskiopsis spathulata such problems do not arise, so the plant easily withstands both plentiful and infrequent watering.
But this species blooms very rarely, and in flower science it is used as a vaccine to accelerate the growth of other types of cacti.
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Gymnocalycium friedrichii
The second name of this incredibly beautiful plant is Mikhanovich Gymnocalycium, and the cactus blooms with funnel-shaped flowers of different colors, mainly white, pink and bright red.
The oblong stem contains up to 10 triangular ribs that do not contain villi. Gymnocalycium friedrichii grows no more than 10 cm, and does not require special care.
It takes a lot of bright light, but in the summer it is better to protect the plant from direct sunlight.
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Obregonia denegrii
This cute cactus is found in limited regions of the Mexican Valley, and is considered an endangered species. They were first discovered in 1923, and in 1925 his first scientific descriptions appeared.
The spherical stem has a diameter of up to 12 cm, and is completely covered with small to 1.5 cm trihedral papillae. It blooms with white flowers with a yellow core, but its seeds are black.
In addition to the Latin name in English, you can often find the trivial name Artichoke Cactus, and Mexicans call the small plant simply Obregonita.
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Blossfeldia liliputana
And here is the smallest cactus, the stem of which does not exceed 1-1.5 cm. This amazing species grows high in the mountains, from southern Bolivia to the northern regions of Argentina.
The miniature cactus has no ribs and thorns; during flowering, it throws beautiful pink and white flowers. They grow only on a gravelly surface or in crevices of rocks, and quickly dry in pots with earth.
To date, six species of Blossfeldia are known to biological science, and this is the only species from the whole variety of cacti that can completely dry and then hydrate as a result of watering.
In conclusion, we note that during the evolution of cacti, they acquired a thick cover with thorns in order to protect themselves and survive in the most severe conditions. But their ability to store a large amount of moisture in themselves cannot be admired, and therefore cacti can be found in the most desolate places on our planet, and even on the tops of high mountains.
In recent decades, cacti have become a very popular type of home plants, since at the end of the twentieth century, scientists proved that they perfectly ionize indoor air.
Article author: Valery Skiba