CACTUS ISLAND

AFRICA - AMERICA - MADAGASCAR AMERICA’S ISLAND This is a spectacular hybrid of green leaves with a red margin. It can be planted in full sun or in sun-shade. It should be planted in well-drained soil and watered once a month. During winter it is advisable not to water it too much to increase its resistance to cold. It is advisable to avoid that the snow accumulates between the leaves. Tª min approx -8 / -10 ºC.

AGAVE ARISTOCRAT Agave salmiana var. ferox (Agave ferox) is a variety of the agave of the Salmiana belonging to the genus Agave and family . The ferox subspecies is very close to the typical subspecies in terms of description and culture. It differs by having even thicker and stiffer blades, pointed ends (up to 8 cm) and even sharper lateral spines. This is why it is called by that name. Place of origin: Mexico.

AGAVE FEROX

NOTES: tolerate arid and semi-desert areas well, in fact, they are usually the only survivors in abandoned gardens. Ideal for plantations that do not need care or irrigation. They prefer sunny and airy places, with well-drained soils. Very little or no watering if the grows in full soil. In a pot, they should be watered but very little. Agave lophantha is a plant native to the deserts of Chihuahua and Sonora. It forms a rosette of coriaceous leaves or leaves up to 45cm high and 60cm wide, with jagged edges. The flowers appear grouped in reddish-yellow up to 4m high. After flowering, the plant dies, leaving the suckers and lots of seeds. It is a kind of easy cultivation and maintenance, as it resists drought, high temperatures and there are no known enemies that can end it. Location: outside, in full sun. Soil or substrate: it is not demanding, but it grows better in those with good drainage. Irrigation: the land must be allowed to dry between irrigations. Usually, it will be watered every 3 days in summer, and every 7-10 days the rest of the year. Subscriber: it is highly recommended to fertilize with mineral fertilizers such as Nitrofoska, AGAVE LOPHANTA VARIEGATA adding a small tablespoon every 15 days, except in winter, which will be once a month. Planting / Transplanting time: in spring, when the risk of frost has passed. Multiplication: by seeds or separation of suckers in spring-summer. Hardiness: it supports light frosts of up to -2ºC. Agave macroacantha, is a species of belonging to the Asparagaceae family whose natural distribution includes the states of and , Mexico. Agave macroacantha produces a medium leaf rosette that can be basal or can grow on a very short stem. The leaves are succulent, grayish-green in color and up to 55 cm long, at the apex there is a black thorn about 3 cm long. The flowers are small, gray and red, they grow distributed in bunches on a vigorous stem up to 3 meters high. The plant prefers a dry, sunny and hot place during the summer and a warm and well-lit place from the autumn. It responds favorably to regular watering in summer and minimal watering in winter, as well as planting in a large pot with a sparse and abundant gravel substrate. AGAVE MACROACANTHA Agave maximiliana, commonly called maguey lechuguilla and which is used in the elaboration of this agave distillate that is produced in the western part of the Mexican Republic, specifically on the coast of the state of . It is also known as maguey tecolote in Sinaloa and as maguey manso in Puebla. It was precisely the brothers Pedro and Ignacio Blásquez, pulquera landowners from Puebla, who dedicated the classification of the maguey manso in the work: Memory on the Mexican maguey (Agave maximiliana), in the year of 1865, since they said that this agave was extracted fine pulque, for that reason they dedicated it to Maximiliano I. (Hernández-Medina 2017) According to CONABIO data, its habitat is rocky slopes with shallow and dark soils, in regions of low precipitation and semi-warm temperatures. From Sierra Madre Occidental, Sinaloa and to Bajío, between 2000 and 3000m of altitude. It generally shares its habitat with Agave Rhodacanta, but prefers higher ground and blooms with another season. It reproduces only by seed, because the are as dispersed, without dense groups as the species that produce young.

AGAVE MAXIMILIANA The Agave noa (Agave victoriae-reginae) 1 T. Moore 1875, is a small succulent plant belonging to the agavaceae family. It is an endemic plant in northern Mexico. Its name was dedicated to Queen Victoria (1819-1901) of England. It is highly appreciated by collectors and nurserymen due to its high ornamental value. It was included in the Marginatae group for having the horny leaf margins and the flowers with short funnel-shaped tubes and is part of the Littaea group for having without apparent ramifications and with leaves with entire margin. The name A. victoriae-gevinae has been applied to four plants with great similarity but differing in the shape of the rosette, the number, shape and color of the leaves, the size of the flowers and the habitat they occupy. This section will only deal with A. victoriae- reginae subsp. victoriae-reginae. It has globose to depressed globose rosettes, with 70 to 200 leaves, the leaves are lanceolate from 7 to 22 cm long by 3.6 to 4.8 cm long in dry leaves, its margin is horny and continuous to the apex. It lives in the Sierra Madre Oriental in the states of Nuevo León, Coahuila to the east of Durango. On isolated ridges and hills. It grows mainly on limestone substrates. It is known in the Lagunera region of Coahuila and Durango as noa2. This plant has variable shapes, but in general its rosettes are small and compact, made up of short, hard, rigid and thick leaves; measuring 15-20 cm long by 4-6 cm wide, with distinctive white markings on the margins. The marks are generally found along the leaf next to the margins, with a triangular profile; giving an appearance of polyhedral image. The margins are not serrated, but at the end of the leaf it can include 1 to 3 thorns every 1-3 cm in length. It has a AGAVE VICTORIAE REGINAE height of up to 30 cm; when it does not have the inflorescence called quiote, which is a central stick with branched flowering at the top that fructifies and matures giving seeds; it reaches a height of just over a meter; this happening only once in your life (approximately 5 years or more depending on the environment and weather conditions) between the months of June to August; subsequently dying the plant.

A.victoriae-reginae is found in the Chihuahuan Desert and in the Lagunera region of Coahuila and Durango, Mexico. To the South of the City of Torreón, Coah., There is an elevated accident called Sierra de las Noas for its once abundance of this agave; also known as pintilla. About half a dozen subspecies are contemplated. It is notable for its faceted, carved leaves, something that has made it very popular as an ornamental plant. Considered in danger of extinction due to its high illegal commercialization (mainly collecting) abroad, with a small plant priced up to 15 USD and one like the one in the photo up to 1000 to 2000 USD. Its decline, at least in the Lagunera region, may have also been due to its use in the preparation of an intoxicating drink by the Laguneros Indians in times of the Spanish colonization of northern Mexico; "The yndios have another genre of mexcale (mezcal) that is much milder than that of maguey, they call it noas" (Mota and Escobar). Currently, there are two centers of mass reproduction in the Lagunera region for the purpose of propagation, propagation and reforestation, non-profit in the CEMEX Community Center and the Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University Laguna Unit in the City of Saltillo, Coah. Agave types and their geographical distribution in Mexico

Maguey, also known as agave, is used to make mezcal, there are more than 200 cataloged species, although only 14 different species are used to produce mezcal, according to NOM-070 (Official Mexican Standard that regulates the designation of origin of the mezcal). Although mezcal, being an artisan product that is also produced for local consumption in different parts of the Mexican territory and which are not certified by COMERCAM (Mexican Council for the Quality Control of Mezcal), around 39 different types are officially used extra-officially or agave species. Fun fact: To make wine a single species of grape is used that has many variations. To make mezcal around 39 different species of agave are used that have many variations each. The maguey species with which mezcal is produced are chosen primarily for their ability to store large amounts of sugars in the stems. The mezcal-producing species are mainly distributed towards the West and South of Mexico, along the Sierra Madre Occidental, the Neovolcanic Axis and the Sierra Madre del Sur, where they inhabit dry forests, temperate forests, scrublands and grasslands. Generally a mezcal is made with a single type of agave but it is also very common to combine the alcohols from different magueyes to achieve more complex flavors. In the Mezcales Catalog section you can search for the mezcales made by each type of agave. The most widely used is Agave angustifolia, known regionally as mezcal in Sonora and Sinaloa; guisme or ku`uri by the rarámuris of Chihuahua; guvúkai, gubuk or ki`mai by the Tepehuanes of Chihuahua and Durango; tepemete or chacaleño also in Durango; thin maguey in Guerrero; Espadín in Oaxaca and Espadilla in Puebla. This is the agave with the greatest geographical and ecological distribution, since it is found from Sonora to Chiapas. Many variants grow in this breadth of habitats, some recognized in scientific terminology or in an undetermined number of different ways, but identified by the cultural groups where they thrive. This knowledge is coined in the wide range of common names they receive. The species used regionally are: Sonora. Bacanora is made with "mezcal" (Agave angustifolia and Agave rhodacantha). The cultural drink region is made up of 35 municipalities located in the Sierra Madre Occidental. In addition to bacanora, mezcal is made to a lesser extent with lechuguilla (Agave shrevei), lechuguilla de la sierra (Agave bovicornuta) and mescal ash (Agave colorata). Occasionally, tauta (Agave parviflora) is used as a flavoring. Tamaulipas. In the Sierra San Carlos, mezcal known as "wine" or "wine-mezcal" is produced, maguey ash (Agave americana subspecies protamericana) and rigging (Agave montium-sancticaroli) are used; Lechuguillas (Agave funkiana and Agave univittata) are used to a lesser extent, which, due to their high sugar content, are added as flavorings. San Luis Potosí-. Naturally and culturally they form a single region and in the same way they share the use of the green maguey (Agave salmiana subspecies crassispina) to produce mezcal. In southern Zacatecas, mezcal is prepared with the blue agave (Agave tequilana). Durango. In the state, mezcal is obtained from the maguey ash (Agave durangensis), although it is also made from tepemete (Agave angustifolia) and from magueyes masparillo (Agave bovicornuta and Agave maximiliana). Jalisco. In addition to tequila, mezcal made with blue mezcal (Agave tequilana), other species are used. In the west, the “raicilla” is made with the lechuguilla (Agave maximiliana) or on a small scale with the maguey relisero (Agave valenciana). The "agave liquor" from Tolimán, Tonaya and Zapotitlán is obtained from the maguey lineño (Agave angustifolia) or from yellow ixtero (Agave rhodacantha). In the municipality of Zapotitlán at least 12 forms of maguey are reproduced to make mezcal. Michoacán. The Chinese maguey (Agave cupreata) are used in the Balsas river and Sierra Madre del Sur basin; the long maguey (Agave inaequidens), and the flat (Agave aff. tequilana), cultivated in the Sahuayo-Jiquilpan region. Warrior. In the Central-Mountain region of Guerrero, the maguey papalote (Agave cupreata), a wild species endemic to the Balsas river basin, is used, and on a small scale, the thin maguey (Agave angustifolia). Puebla. Mezcal is made with papalometl (Agave potatorum), maguey pitzometl (Agave marmorata), espadilla (Agave angustifolia) or from the pulque of yellow maguey (Agave salmiana subsp. Salmiana). Oaxaca. The elaboration of mezcal involves eight species and 17 protected or wild forms, the greatest production occurs in the “mezcal region” of the Central Valleys and Sierra Sur. Sprat (Agave angustifolia) is cultivated for commercial purposes in seven districts. Other species correspond to the Mexican maguey (Agave rhodacantha), papalometl (Agave potatorum), tobalá (Agave seemanniana), tepeztate (Agave marmorata), cirial, barre, bicuixe, tobasiche (Agave karwinskii), arroqueño (Agave americana American variety) and Sierra Negra (Agave americana variety oaxacensis). Chiapas. In the municipality of Comitán, the comiteco (Agave americana) and the maguey (Agave salmiana) are used to make pulque, which when advanced fermentation is distilled to extract the “mezcal comiteco”. Some species were used in the first half of the 20th century, but nowadays they are apparently no longer exploited, such as the mescal ceniza (Agave colorata), the lechuguillas (Agave palmeri, Agave zebra) and the mezcal pelón (Agave pelona ), in Sonora; the maguey cenizo (Agave asperrima) from San Luis Potosí, or the maguey pintillo (Agave pintilla) from Durango, the latter described in 2011 as a new species for science. The mezcal-producing species are mainly distributed towards the west, center and south of Mexico, along the Sierra Madre Occidental, the Transverse Volcanic Axis and the Sierra Madre del Sur. There are 14 species that are used in commercial terms, eight are used locally and six more are used occasionally. Agave angustifolia is the most widely used, its distribution ranges from Sonora to Chiapas. It has more than 30 common names, some are: chacaleño, espadín, espadilla, ixtero, mezcal, lineño and tepemete. Blue maguey were domesticated from local populations of Agave angustifolia to make tequila (Agave tequilana) and henequen (Agave fourcroydes). The diversity of mezcal in Mexico is a reflection of the biological diversity of the genus; This unique wealth in the world must be protected with regulations that consider the great variety of artisan mezcal and its importance as part of the biological and cultural heritage of the country. The mezcal concept is a name linked to all Agave species and should not be used in favor of only some distilled beverages since it means cultural identity in many regions, so all human communities that know and use them have the historical right to use them according to their traditions, without forgetting, of course, the conservation of wild populations. In the Cactaceae family we find the genus , made up of 6 species of cactus native to Mexico. The species are: , Astrophytum ornatum, Astrophytum senile, Astrophytum capricorne, Astrophytum asterias, Astrophytum coahuilense. It is also known by the vulgar names of Bishop's Bonnet, Astrophyte, Episcopal Miter or Bishop's Mortarboard. This species comes from central Mexico. They are cacti with a rather globular body in their youth and more columnar with age that can reach 25 cm in diameter. Its color is green but they have numerous white scales that give it a grayish tone. They usually have 5 ribs although the "Quadricostatum" variety has 4 as its name suggests. The areolas arise at the edge of the ribs and are brown and boneless. The flowers are large (6 cm in diameter) and appear on the top of the cactus. They bloom from spring to early fall. These slow growing plants are often used in pots and planters and also for rockeries and cactus and succulent gardens. The Bishop's Bonnet can live in full sun exposure but prefers half shade avoiding direct sun in the middle of the day. Although it could tolerate some weak frost, it is better that in winter it does not suffer temperatures below 5ºC. ASTROPHYTUM MYRIOSTIGMA The soil should be quite sandy for which we can mix 50% coarse sand, 25% well decomposed leaf mulch or peat and 25% light garden soil. They need less watering than most cacti, so water will be provided waiting for the soil to be very dry. In winter do not water. They do not require special subscribers or pruning. They are plants resistant to pests and diseases if we do not exceed ourselves with irrigation. They are often multiplied from seeds that germinate fairly quickly; seedlings grow fast at first. The genus Astrophytum, of the Cactaceae family, is made up of 6 species of cacti originating in Mexico. The species are: Astrophytum ornatum, Astrophytum myriostigma, Astrophytum senile, Astrophytum capricorne, Astrophytum asterias, Astrophytum coahuilense. It receives the vulgar names of Cactus star, Astrophyte, Liendrilla, Biznaga or Piojosa. This species comes from the Mexican states of Querétaro and . These are cacti that tend to have a columnar body with age reaching a meter in height. They are dark green (in their youth) and later lighter with small silver spots; they have 8 to 9 ribs (sometimes spiral) with spines about 3 cm long and yellow (brown in adult specimens). The showy flowers measure up to 9 cm in diameter and are yellow in color. They bloom from mid-spring to late summer. They are usually used in pots and planters for their slow growth but also for rockeries and cactus and succulent gardens. Star Cacti thrive well in full sun or light shade exposure. It is not convenient that in winter the temperature falls below 5ºC. Soil drainage should be perfect for which we can mix 1/2 of coarse sand, 1/4 of well decomposed peat or leaf mulch and 1/4 of light garden soil. ASTROPHYTUM ORNATUM They need less watering than most cacti, so water will be provided waiting for the soil to be very dry. In winter do not water. Special subscribers and pruning are not necessary. They resist pests and diseases if we do not exceed ourselves with irrigation. They multiply from seeds sown in spring in a sandy substrate that germinate after a few days. • Beaucarnea recurvata (elephant foot, nolina or pot-bellied palm) is a species of phanerogam belonging to the family of asparagáceas. It is found in the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosí in eastern Mexico. • Tree plant 4 to 15 m high, with abundant branching; globose conical base, coming to have an ovate to ellipsoid shape at the bottom resembling a boot, with a diameter at the bottom of up to 3 m; bark dark gray to dark brown with elongated, quadrangular or rectangular plates at the base 0.5-1 cm thick, polygonal towards the trunk, somewhat rough with slightly deep fissures; terminal branches elongated, flattened at the base and rounded towards the apex, 1-2 m; buds under the rosette, ellipsoid to ovate, 1.5-2.0 x 1 mm; leaves grouped into rosettes at the end of the branches, recurved, linear 100 to 150 cm long and 1 to 1.5 cm wide, green to pale green, margin yellow green, with persistent teeth, with the base of the leaf triangular 5 to 7 cm long by 4 to 5 cm wide; ovoid inflorescence 0.7 to 1.0 m long, red to straw yellow; inflorescence stem 20 to 30 cm long, 1.0 to 1.5 cm in diameter; primary branches slightly wavy, 15 to 30 cm long, on top 10 to 15 cm long; bracts of the peduncle and branches almost triangular and long accumulated; the highest branches 5 to 8 cm long with 18 to 24 flower nodes. 2 to 3 male flowers per node; pedicel 1.5 to 2.0 mm articulated close to the flower; anthers strongly sagited. Female flowers, 1 to 4 per node; pedicel 2.5 to 5 mm long. Fruit. Fruit peduncle 3 to 6 mm long, ellipsoid to slightly obovate, 12 to 14 mm long, 9 to 10 mm wide, pale yellow. Seed. Ellipsoid and largely ovoid, 3.5 to 4.5 mm long, and 3 to 4 mm wide, lobe not well marked; rough to smooth, bright brown red. The Beaucarnea genus is distributed from Mexico to Central America, currently around 11 species are recognized, ten of which are endemic to the country and within which are Beaucarnea recurvata. This species has a very restricted distribution in Mexico, since they are found in a narrow range of distribution in semi-arid and low deciduous jungle regions in the north, south and southeast of Mexico. Their habitat is the low deciduous forest, whose average temperatures of 20 ° C BEAUCARNEA RECURVATA and an annual rainfall of 800 mm, and a well-marked dry season of between 7 and 8 months, these types of forests are found in an altitude range of 0 to 1700 masl. The species of the Beaucarnea genus are mostly in a critical state, this due to the various anthropogenic activities, which has caused severe fragmentation and destruction of their habitat. On the other hand, the extraction of seeds, seedlings, juveniles and adults, have affected the population size and the sex ratio, thus reducing the possibilities of fertilization and, consequently, the production of seeds. The saguaro or sahuaro (Carnegiea gigantea), as this plant is commonly known, is the typical columnar cactus of the Sonoran Desert. It is a monotypic genus and is one of the most important species among cacti. The sahuaro has a characteristic columnar stem, commonly reaching 12 m in height, although some specimens can reach 18 m, and one of 23.8 m has even been recorded.2 Its diameter is 65 cm. It has ramifications that can be found in a number greater than 7; and they in turn can present new ramifications. The number of the facets of the stem (the ribs) are between 12 and 24 and are obtuse. The areolas are brown in color, and are about 2 cm apart from each other. In the apical area the distance is less and they are covered by a brown felt. The radial spines can be 12 or more, and the central spines between 3 and 6 up to 7 cm in length. They are brown in color and turn gray as the plant ages. The short-petalled flowers appear at the top of the stems. They are of an outstanding white color and are 12 cm in diameter. The fruit is red and also edible; ripens in summer. Flowering is May through June; 2 flowers open overnight and remain open part of the following day. Scientific or Latin name: Carnegiea gigantea.- Common name: Saguaro, Sahuaro. - Origin: United States, in the state of Arizona; and from Mexico, in the state of Sonora. - Carnegiea is a genus that has only one species: Carnegiea gigantea, commonly called Saguaro. - The stem is columnar and can reach a height of 15 m and a diameter of 65 cm. - The plant has ramifications and can be found in numbers greater than 8. -The radial spines can be 12 or more, and the central spines between 3 and 6 up to 7 cm in length. They are brown in color and turn gray as the plant ages. - Waxy white flower, about 12 cm long and diameter almost that dimension. Green exterior, with scales on the pericarp and tube. Very numerous with yellow antennae. Cream white with 15 lobes. CARNEGIEA GIGANTEA - Flowering: spring. - They open during the night and remain open part of the following day. - The fruit is red and edible. Ripens in summer. - Very slow growth.- It takes 30 to reach 1 m in height and later its growth rate is about 2.5-3 cm per year in the main stem. The maximum speed that can be reached in some vigorous branching is about 10 cm per year. - The largest specimens that exist in the Arizona desert can be 200-300 years old. - The national flower of the state of Arizona (USA) is that of this species. - In Tucson (Arizona), a large area densely populated by this species was dedicated by the United States government as a biological reserve, receiving the name of "Saguaro National Monument". -Details: - Light: sun, in the case of large specimens, but a slight shade in the case of young specimens. - Temperatures: the minimum recommended for young specimens is around 5ºC. Regarding grown specimens, we have references that they can resist -9ºC. Winter at 5ºC. - Irrigation: normal in the growth period, which includes fewer months than in the case of the other cacti. In the rest of the year it needs less water than the average for cacti.- Substrate: standard compound. - You need a large pot since the roots expand considerably. - Multiplication: by seed.- It is self-sterile, which means that the pollen of a specimen is not capable of fertilizing its flowers. - Cross between different specimens is carried out in the habitat by bees, some birds and a type of bat. , commonly called mother-in-law's seat, golden ball, golden barrel, or hedgehog cactus, is a species belonging to the Cactaceae family. The small genus to which it belongs, Echinocactus, along with its relative genus , are vulgarly known as barrel cacti. It is endemic to central Mexico, from Tamaulipas to the State of Hidalgo, and despite being one of the most popular cacti in cultivation, it is considered rare and is listed as an endangered species in its wild habitat. Globular cactus more or less spherical. Generally solitary, although basal stems can sprout from adult specimens. In the wild, it can reach more than 1 m in height, but since it is quite slow growing it can take many years, which is not a problem, given the longevity of this species, more than 100 years.2 The duration it is estimated to be 10 years old, bright green in color, with a flattened apex and yellow wool. It has between 21 and 37 prominent and thin rectilinear ribs, which are not appreciated in the younger specimens, since they are divided into conical tubers. The areolas have yellow wooliness when the plant is young, then whitish and finally grayish. They are large and 1 or 2 cm apart from each other. The radial spines are arranged in numbers between 8 and 10, and measure more than 3 cm in length. The central ones, between 3 and 5, measure about 5 cm; they are strong, striated and straight, although the central ones can be slightly curved downwards. The flowers appear in the upper areolas of the adult specimens in summer. They arise between wooliness and last 3 days. They measure between 4 and 7 cm in length and 5 cm in diameter, the outer petals are yellowish inside and brown outside. The internals are yellowish and shiny. ECHINOCACTUS GRUSONII This species is easily propagated by seeds, which germinate after 5 or 7 days, reaching plants 10 cm in diameter after the first or second year of planting. The plant requires a soft, well-drained substrate. Although younger specimens appreciate a little semi-shade, adult specimens should be placed in full sun, as they need direct sunlight and a minimum average temperature in winter of 15º C. Most Echinocactus tolerate the cold, often down to -7 ° C provided they are healthy plants and dry soil conditions are respected. It is advisable to fertilize it from spring to summer and place it on a cactus substrate with a large part of coarse sand to facilitate drainage. Frequent watering in summer and almost zero in winter, if the plant is adult, watering is usually suspended completely at this time. Cleistocactus strausii, is a species in the Cactaceae family, endemic to Jujuy and Salta in Argentina and Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz Tarija in Bolivia that, in cultivation, has spread throughout the world. Columnar cactus whose greenish-gray stems can reach a height of 3 m with only about 6 cm width. It has 25 ribs densely covered with areolas, from which four brownish-yellow spines up to 4 cm long and 20 shorter, white radial ones appear. The older specimens, which have already reached more than 45 cm in height, flower in late summer. The flowers, dark red, burgundy, 6 cm long, are cylindrical and grow horizontally along the stems. Like other species in the genus, they barely open, only the style and stamens standing out. The cactus prefers well-drained soils, full sun, but not high temperatures - in fact, it can withstand harsh frosts down to -10 ° C. In its natural habitat it receives a lot of water during the summer, but almost none in winter. In cultivation, CLEISTOCACTUS STRAUSII too frequent watering in winter leads to root rot.

Parodia leninghausii (K.Schum.) F.H.Brandt is a species of phanerogamic plant in the family Cactaceae. lenninghausii generally grows in large groups with green, cylindrical stems that are up to 60 centimeters (or larger) in height and 7-10 centimeters in diameter. The tip is crooked and not very woolly. It has 30 to 35 consecutive ribs, very close together with areoles filled with pale to dark yellow or brown spines, which are very fine and straight or slightly bent. It has 3 to 4 central spines 2 to 5 cm long plus 15 to 20 (or more) radial spines between 5 and 10 millimeters long. The flowers are lemon yellow 5 to 6 cm in length and diameter. The corolla tube is covered with dense brown wool and bristles. The fruits are spherical and contain bell-shaped, reddish-brown seeds. It is endemic to Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. It is a common species that has spread throughout the world.

ERIOCACTUS LENINGHAUSII The genus Ferocactus belongs to the Cactaceae family and is made up of about 30 species of large cacti originating in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Ferocactus glaucescens, Ferocactus histrix, Ferocactus latispinus, Ferocactus gracilis, Ferocactus stainesii, Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus alamosanus, Ferocactus robustus, Ferocactus flavovirens, Ferocactus wislizenii. It is also known by the common names of Blue Barrel Cactus or Blue Ferocact. This species comes from the Mexican States of Hidalgo and Querétaro. They are slow growing cacti and globular in shape that with age can lengthen a little and reach 40 cm in height and 20 cm in diameter. They are grayish green and somewhat bluish. They have 11 to 15 ribs with areolas separated from each other by 1 cm. They have 6 radial yellow spines, about 4 cm long, erect and striated; They may have one or no central spine. The flowers are yellow, about 3 cm long and appear on top of the plant. They bloom from the middle of spring to the end of summer but do not bloom until reaching 12-13 cm in diameter. They are used in rockeries, in cactus and succulent gardens or in pots for balconies, terraces or patios. The Blue Barrel Cactus requires exposure to full sun and high temperatures, especially in summer. They tolerate the cold up to about 5 ºC. The soil must drain excellently for which a commercial cactus substrate or an equal proportion mixture of leaf mulch and siliceous sand is useful. The waterings will be more moderate than for most cacti, so we will wait until the soil is very dry before watering again. It is important not to water in winter; it is advisable to suspend watering in late autumn and not start watering until late spring. FEROCACTUS GLAUCESCENS They do not need pruning or special subscribers. They are plants that are highly resistant to pests but sensitive to fungal diseases caused by excess water. They are multiplied normally from seeds sown in spring although they can be put to root the suckers of the base in the event that the plant produces them (it does not always do it). In the Cactaceae family we find the genus Ferocactus made up of about 30 species of cactus from Mexico and the USA. Some species are: Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus robustus, Ferocactus latispinus, Ferocactus gracilis, Ferocactus glaucescens, Ferocactus stainesii, Ferocactus alamosanus, Ferocactus flavovirens, Ferocactus histrix, Ferocactus wislizenii. It is known by the common name of Barrel Biznaga of the peninsula because it is native to the Baja California peninsula and has the scientific synonym of Ferocactus Horridus. They are claviform cacti that can measure more than 2 meters in height and about 40 cm in diameter. They have deep and sharp ribs with areolas of about 2 cm in length, from which some 11 radial and 4 central spines arise, of which the lower one is rather flat and hooked. The flowers can measure up to 3 cm in length and are yellow with red touches. They bloom during the summer. The fruit is yellow in color, egg- shaped and about 3 cm long. These slow-growing, low-maintenance cacti are used in cactus and succulent gardens, rockeries, or pots as houseplants. The Barrel Biznaga of the peninsula can live in exposures of full sun or light shade and in hot and dry climates. It can tolerate some mild frost if the ground is dry. The soil will be very well drained and should contain organic matter, for which a mixture of 50% leaf mulch and another 50% siliceous sand is recommended. The pot transplant is done in spring to a container one size larger. They are extremely resistant to drought so they will be watered very little, always waiting for the soil to be FEROCACTUS HORRIDUS completely dry. In winter, watering will cease as the plant comes to rest. A light compost fertilizer in early spring is sufficient. They do not need pruning. They are usually free of pests but can be victims of fungal diseases if the humidity is excessive. The best way to multiply these cacti is from seeds sown in spring; they germinate fairly quickly. Ferocactus pilosus is a globose to columnar cactus native to arid areas of Mexico, but cultivated in other regions of the world for ornamental purposes. Currently their natural populations are monitored due to an intense extraction by man that has affected them considerably. It grows mainly in mountainous areas of the states of Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Coahuila and Tamaulipas. There are also specimens of this species in different Botanical Gardens around the world as a possible germplasm bank. It is a very long-lived species with specimens that can exceed 80 years of age. It is a solitary cactus that develops a globose to columnar stem that can exceed 2.5 meters in height and 55 cm in diameter. This stem has +/- 17 very pronounced and wide vertical ribs that contain areolas widely spaced from each other at the margins. The areolas are large, have a conspicuous white wooliness and numerous hairs of +/- 2 cm in length. In the areolas there are +/- 7 radial reddish spines (they lose pigmentation over time) of +/- 2 cm in length and +/- 5 equally reddish central spines, of +/- 3 cm in length and somewhat curved. The thorns are very thick and sharp. The flowers arise from the upper areolas in plants of more than 80 cm in height generally; plants over 4 years old. They are cylindrical in shape with corolla segments yellowish to reddish. They are +/- 2 cm long and +/- 3 cm in diameter when fully open. The fruits are cylindrical, show an opaque yellowish coloration and are +/- 2 cm long. Inside these, numerous dark brown seeds approximately 0.2 cm long develop.

FEROCACTUS PILOSUS

Illumination: It is necessary to expose this cactus to the sun for much of the day to obtain optimal growth and future flowers. Younger specimens should provide a little shade during the warmer hours of summer days. It is not a species to grow in poorly lit interiors. Temperature: Preferably warm, although it tolerates cool environments. This cactus is able to tolerate temperatures close to 40ºC, but does not like the cold. The ideal range for the species is between 22ºC-32ºC. Do not expose to temperatures below 5ºC. Substratum: Requires a nutrient poor substrate with 70% -80% mineral. Said substrate must have good aeration and allow rapid drainage of irrigation water. It does not support nutrient-rich substrates that tend to puddle or compact. Within the Cactaceae is the genus Ferocactus made up of about 30 species of cactus from Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species of the genus are: Ferocactus stainesii, Ferocactus robustus, Ferocactus latispinus, Ferocactus gracilis, Ferocactus glaucescens, Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus alamosanus, Ferocactus flavovirens, Ferocactus histrix, Ferocactus wislizenii. It receives the vulgar names of Barrel Biznaga or Ferocacto. This species comes from the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí. These are light green cacti with a globular body in their youth that lengthens until they can reach 3 meters in height by 60 cm in diameter. They present sharp ribs, slightly wavy and in a number that goes between 13 and 20. The areolas can measure up to 1 cm and are yellowish first and then grayish. The spines are striated and red on young plants (later turn gray); the radial ones measure up to 2 cm in length and the central ones about 4 cm. The latter are yellow and are accompanied by 2-3 cm hairs. The flowers are orange or violet in color and are bell shaped. They bloom in summer. They are used as isolated specimens, in catus and succulent gardens, in rockeries or in pots. The Barrel Biznaga needs a lot of sun, so the exhibition will be in full sun and the climate quite warm. It is better that the winter temperature does not drop below 6 ºC. The soil can be a mixture of 1/2 of leaf mulch and 1/2 of siliceous sand although commercial preparations for FEROCACTUS STAINESII cacti and fats can also be used. In summer watering can be every 7-8 days, in spring and autumn every 15 days and in winter they should be avoided. The safest thing to do is to wait for the soil to dry well between contributions of water. They do not need special fertilizers but they can be given a mineral fertilizer for cacti in the middle of spring. They do not require any pruning. They are usually free of pests and diseases; we should only watch for excess moisture. They are often multiplied from seeds sown in the spring, but new specimens can also be obtained from the produced by adult plants. Gymnocalycium saglionis, is a phanerogamic species belonging to the Cactaceae family. It is endemic to Argentina. It is a common species that has spread throughout the world. Gymnocalycium saglionis grows individually with dull green or blue-green, semi- spherical stems, aged it forms short cylindrical stems and reaches diameters of 20 to 40 cm and a height of 20 to 30 cm (rarely up to 80 cm). The 15 and 30 ribs are straight or spiral and are clearly divided. In the areolas there are yellowish to reddish brown or black spines that turn gray with age and are 3 to 4 cm long. It has 2 to 59 straight central spines and 10 to 15 (rarely more than 8) twisted radial spines. Very short to broadly funnel-shaped, white or pale pink tube-shaped flowers with a white throat. They reach a length of 3 to 3.5 cm and a diameter of 3 to 4.5 cm. The fruits are spherical, 2-4.5 cm long and red or orange-red to greenish-brown at GYMNOCALYCIUM SAGLIONIS maturity. albilanata is a species belonging to the Cactaceae family. It is an endemism of Mexico. Its natural habitat is the hot deserts. Mammillaria albilanata, is a thick grayish-green succulent plant, sometimes with a cylindrical body more than 15 centimeters high and 8 centimeters in diameter. The warts are spirally arranged, green and gray in color. They are firm and do not have a milky sap. They are covered in thick wool. They have approximately 15-26 stiff white spines 2 to 4 millimeters long and 2-4 central spines. The central spines are straight, white to cream in color, with a brown head and only 2 to 3 millimeters long. The flowers are 7 millimeters long and pink, purple or pink carmine. The fruits are pink to red. The seeds are light brown in color. Mammillaria albilanata is found in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Chiapas and Colima.

MAMMILLARIA ALBILANATA

Mammillaria dixanthocentron is a species belonging to the Cactaceae family. It is endemic to Oaxaca, Puebla, Mexico. Its natural habitat is the arid deserts. It is a fleshy and globular perennial. Mammillaria dixanthocentron has a short, cylindrical body with a height of up to 30 centimeters (often up to 20 centimeters) and a diameter of 8 centimeters. The areolas are covered with delicate wool. The 19-20 radial spines are very fine, white, and about 2 to 4 millimeters long. The 2 to 4 central spines are sometimes white, yellow, or brown to dark red with darker spots. While the fresh central spines are initially only 5 millimeters long, at the bottom they reach 15 millimeters. The flowers are relatively small, about 15 millimeters in size, bright red to purple in color with pink edges. The fruits are also cylindrical in shape, yellow orange in color. The seeds are brown. MAMMILLARIA DIXANTHOCENTRON Mammillaria parkinsonii is a is a biznaga of the cactus family (Cactaceae). The word Mammillaria comes from the Latin mamila: nipple or tit, and from aria: who owns, carries; that is to say: ‘that carries mamilas’, referring to the tubers. Spanish: biznaga de San Onofre. It is a cactus that has simple growth and with time it branches. It is globular to cylindrical in shape up to 17 cm in height and 7 to 11 cm in diameter. The protuberances of the stem (tubers) are pyramidal, bluish green and present milky juice, the space between them (armpits) have wool and bristles (hairs). The sites where the spines develop are called areolae, in this species they have a circular shape, with more or less 35 spines, 2 to 4 of them are located in the center of the areola (central ones) and are lanco colored, with the dark tip and longer and thicker than the white (radial) spines of the edge. The flowers are small and funnel-shaped, measuring 12-16 mm in length and yellow in color. The fruits in the form of chilitos are red and the seeds are brown in color. It is pollinated by insects and is dispersed by seeds. This species is endemic to Mexico, it is distributed in the states of Hidalgo and MAMMILLARIA PARKINSONII Querétaro de Arteaga, in the arid zone of Queretaro-Hidalguense in the Moctezuma river basin. It develops between 1200 to 2400 masl, in xerophilous scrubs. Due to its characteristics, this species has been removed from its habitat to be traded illegally, although there is no quantification of the damage this has caused to the populations. It is considered in the category Subject to Special Protection (Pr) in the Official Mexican Standard 059.3 In the IUCN red list it is considered Endangered (EN) The Mammillaria genus is part of the Cactaceae family and is made up of more than 350 species of cactus, the vast majority of which come from Mexico. Some species of the genus are: Mammillaria pringlei, Mammillaria bombycina, Mammillaria elongata, Mammillaria albilanata, Mammillaria gracilis, Mammillaria hahniana, Mammillaria vetula, Mammillaria parkinsonii, Mammillaria compressa, Mammillaria crinita, Mammillaria uncinatam, Mammillaria uncinatam, Mammillaria uncinatam, Mammillaria uncinatam Mammillaria longimamma, Mammillaria spinosissima, Mammillaria haageana, Mammillaria vetula. It is known by the vulgar names of Biznaga or Mamilaria. They are small cacti with a cylindrical or globose body of a grayish green color that tend to branch and can reach 18 cm in height. They present conical tubercles with white wooliness in their armpits and oval areoles with about 15-20 yellowish central spines and 5 to 7 longer and yellow central spines. The flowers are red or pink and appear in a crown on top of the plant. The fruits are also red and measure up to 1.5 cm in length. Although they can be used in rockeries, the most common is their cultivation in pots and planters. Mammillaria pringlei needs very sunny exposure and a warm, dry climate. They don't like the MAMMILLARIA PRINGLEI cold below 3 ºC. A commercial cactus soil with a handful of coarse sand would be ideal for these plants. They are only transplanted (in spring) if the pot is too small. In spring and summer they will be watered when the soil has completely dried. As of the autumn the waterings are reduced (every 20-25 days) until eliminating them in winter. The subscriber is not essential but in the spring you can add a mineral cactus fertilizer. Pruning is not necessary. The main danger for these plants is excess moisture. They multiply from seeds sown in spring. The seedlings have a rather fast growth. aciculata is a phanerogamic species belonging to the Cactaceae family. Shrubby cactus, so branched that it is usually wider (up to 3 m) than tall (it does not exceed 1 m). Segments 10-12 cm ovoid or rounded, pale green or glaucous. Large areolas close together, with numerous glochidia. Brown spines with yellow tips, 3.5 to 5 cm long, thin, needle-like and frequently retracted. Golden flowers, stigma with 8 to 10 greenish lobes. It is native to Nuevo León, Tamaulipas in Mexico and Texas in the USA.

OPUNTIA ACICULATA

If there is a genus of cacti that is really resistant to drought, which also has brightly colored flowers and whose fruits are delicious, that is Opuntia. These cacti plants are the only ones in the family that it is enough that you rub them so that you notice how a few thorns less than 1cm long have gotten into you, but apart from this small inconvenience, they are very ornamental cacti that do not need many care. We popularly know it as Prickly pear, with edible fruit. The structure of the entire plant hooks some leaves with others, forming sculptural branches and a large thicket that acts as a protection barrier. Its spines are long and hard and white in color.

OPUNTIA FILIFERA Opuntia microdasys is a species belonging to the Cactaceae family, native to central and northern Mexico. Very branched cactus, can form dense shrubs 1 m high or more. The segments, 8 to 15 cm long, are oval or oval-elongated, yellowish green in color and covered with short villi. The large areolas are very close to each other, from them arise dense yellow or brown glochids. The flowers, about 4 cm, are pale yellow, with reddish tips. Stamens and pistil are white, stigma with 6 to 8 lobes. The closely related species Opuntia rufida differs from it in reddish brown glochids. Its habitat is much further north and in western Texas. Some botanists treat both species as one. Opuntia microdasys was described by (Lehm.) Pfeiff. and published in Enumeratio Diagnostica Cactearum 154. 1837.1 2 Etymology Opuntia: generic name that comes from the Greek used by Pliny the Elder for a plant that grew around the city of Opus in Greece.3 microdasys: epithet made up of ethyms from the Greek terms "mikros", small, and "dasus", furry.4 Varieties This species has two varieties: O. microdasys var. albispina (popularly called angel wings, rabbit ears, blinding prickly pear, or blinding prickly pear) with very small, thin, strong green segments and white glochidia areolas. OPUNTIA MICRODASYS WHITE Yellowish white flower. O. microdasys var. pallida with elongated segments and yellow glochids. Light yellow flower. Opuntia robusta J.C. Wendl., Is a phanerogamic species belonging to the Cactaceae family. It is native to North America in Mexico. Shrubby plant 1 to 1.5 m high, well defined trunk, branched from the base. Flat, circular or somewhat oblong to obovate articles 15 to 40 cm long or more and 28 cm wide; very thick up to 2.5 cm thick, light bluish green, glaucous, without purple-red spots under the areola; glabrous and waxy epidermis; conical short blades. Oval, slightly sunken areoles, 7 to 8 series, distant from 4 to 5.5 cm, variable in size; with a margin of short felt black or yellowish white and brown felt in the center; yellowish to brown, setose, thin blood cells, 1 to 18 mm long, in the borders of the article, the blood cells are longer and more abundant, up to 25 mm long. Subulated spines, flattened at the base, divergent, of variable sizes up to 5 cm long; in number from 1 to 6, generally absent in the larreyi variety; white-yellowish with a yellowish or chestnut base. Flowers 5 to 7 cm long and 8 cm in diameter on the anthesis, deep yellow; rhomboidal external segments emarginados or mucronados, yellow with reddish green tint in the center and apex; internal obovate segments, from bitter to mucroned, deep yellow; pericarpel with scarce and thick tubercles, glycoid up to 3 mm long. In these plants it is frequent to find both unisexual flowers and hermaphrodites. Wide, subglobose, globose or elliptical fruits, red; rare pericarpel areolas, with light brown felt; blood fluids 3 mm long, yellow, red pulp; seeds approximately up to 5 mm long. Phenology: Blooms from April to May. It bears fruit from September to October. Opuntia robusta was described by J.C. Wendl. and published in Cat. Hort. Herrenh., In the year 1835.2 OPUNTIA ROBUSTA Etymology Opuntia: generic name that comes from the Greek used by Pliny the Elder for a plant that grew around the city of Opus in Greece.3 robusta: Latin epithet meaning "robust". trollii (Kupper) Backeb., Is a phanerogamic species belonging to the family of cacti. It is endemic to Argentina and Bolivia. It is a common species that has spread throughout the world. The species is found within the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Oreocereus trollii is a branched low plant, which forms small groups and reaches a size of up to 50 centimeters in height. The short, light green column reaches diameters of 6 to 10 centimeters and is hermetically wrapped in wool. It has 15 to 25 strong ribs. The white areolas are covered in wool up to 7 cm long. The spines are yellow, reddish or brown in color and are up to 5 cm long and tinted darker at their tips. The 10 to 15 marginal teeth are like bristles. The flowers are pink to crimson in color and are 4 cm long. The fruits are spherical. Oreocereus: generic name that derives from the Greek and means "mountain cactus". trollii: epithet awarded in honor of the botanist Wilhelm Troll.

OREOCEREUS TROLLII Pachycereus pringlei (S.Watson) Britton & Rose, commonly called cardon (although this name also refers to several other species), is a species in the family of cacti. It is endemic to the Peninsula of the Baja California peninsula and southeast of Sonora, in Mexico. Its bark is covered with robust spines, reaching 3 centimeters. The average growth of a cardón is 1 to 5 centimeters per year, when they have completed half a century of life, they can generate their characteristic white flowers. Longevity, it is estimated, could reach up to 300 years. Although its wood seems fragile, it is used to make roof braces, furniture and crafts. Succulent, tree-like columnar plant, with ascending branches that can be up to 18 m tall. It generally grows in groups called "cardonal". The flower is white-yellowish with pink or purple lines; the pulp of the fruit is red. Flowering generally occurs from mid-April to late June. As an important characteristic, this species has three sexes (males, females and hermaphrodites) although there is no morphological difference of the flowers. It is a key species in the ecosystem, since its flowers (nectar, pollen), fruits and seeds constitute food of the first order for different fauna groups, and they were also for the ancient inhabitants. Nectar-eating bats have been documented to be actively involved in pollination in certain populations, as have birds such as the white-winged pigeon Columba fasciata and the Gila woodpecker Melanerpes uropygialis. The fruit of this cactus was important food for the indigenous people of Baja California Sur, such as the now disappeared pericú, cochimíes and guaycuras, as well as for the current seri of Sonora.1 PACHYCEREUS PRINGLEI A symbiotic relationship with the bacterial and fungal colonies at its roots allows P. pringlei to grow on bare rock, even where there is no soil available at all, since bacteria can fix nitrogen from the air and break the rock to produce nutrients. . The cactus even sends symbiotic bacteria packets with its seeds. Accepted scientific name: Echinopsis bruchii Bradleya 1: 96. 1983

Origin and Habitat: Northern Argentina (Jujuy, Salta). Altitude: It grows at elevations of 3800-4100 meters above sea level. The species is locally abundant at high altitudes in grasslands of puna, monte monte and high Andes among large rocks on plains, slopes and ridges. Description: Echinopsis bruchii var. nivalis first described as Lobivia bruchii var. Frič nivalis is a powerful and highly variable form of high altitude Echinopsis bruchii, with mostly yellowish or whitish pines and red flowers. The differences with other Echinopsis bruchii are actually very minimal and most botanists agree that they should both be included in Echinopsis bruchii, and the two plants are not easily distinguishable, were it not for geographical provenance. Similar species: Echinopsis bruchii var. nivalis is a controversial variety that is sometimes considered a paler thorny form of the brown-spined Echinopsis formosa subsp. Korethroids growing in the same geographic or overlapping areas. Intermediate forms with variable column color between the mentioned species will occur in the habitat. Habitat: It is a mass-growing barrel cactus with a solid, prickly presence, solitary at first, but often basally branching to form colonies later. The dense yellowish or whitish thorns would protect it from extremes of cold and sunlight. The new spines are dark brown in color and appear in the spring. Stem: Globular, 20-30 (-50) cm in diameter, becoming elongated or cylindrical with an age of 0.5-0.7 (- 2) m in height, bright dark green and more or less depressed in the center. Ribs: 15-50 or more, SOEHRENSIA FORMOSA different but low, more or less inflated or tubercular between the areolas. Areoles: Filled with short white wool. Thorns: those of the conniving superior areolas. Central spines: 2-4. Radial spines: 8-10 Flowers: diurnal, small, in areolas below the apex of the plant, 4-5 (-8) cm long and 4-5 cm in diameter, from deep red to orange; short flower tube, its armpits full of wool; lanceolate internal periantole segments Scientific or Latin name: Trichocereus pasacana. - Common or vulgar name: Achuma, Cardón, Puqui. - Origin: Northwest of Argentina and South of Bolivia. - Etymology: the name of the genus comes from the Greek thrix, thricós, hair; Because the plants of this genus have very tomentose floriferous areoles. - Columnar stem, branched in adulthood, with a diameter of 30 cm and a height that can reach 10 m. - The areoles are brown in color and are very close to each other. The spines are numerous, variable, and it is difficult to distinguish between central and radial. Its length can vary between 4 and 14 cm. in older specimens, they are accumulated, rigid, and yellow or dark brown in color. - Yellow thorns. -Trichocereus pasacana produces large (12 cm), resistant and white flowers, with the tube covered with long blackish hairs. - The opening of the flowers is mainly at sunset and lasts between 18 and 40 hours. - We find it easily in stores because it is very resistant to cold and at the same time it is a good rootstock for other species more delicate to cold. - Easy cultivation. - For a beautiful flowering, respect a winter rest between 5 and 10 ºC. - Trichocereus is very prone to excess water. - Fertilize once a month in spring and summer, adding a liquid fertilizer for cacti, particularly in pots. TRICHOCEREUS PASACANA - Plague that sometimes appears are cottony mealybugs. - Change of pot in spring, every 2 years. - Easy multiplication by seeds or cuttings.