Cacti have earned great popularity among flower growers, because few other plants have the same unpretentious character. In addition, most varieties of these "hedgehogs" are quite attractive and bloom well at home. From this material you will learn how round cacti are called, and we will also share their description and photos.
Espostoa
This species of sticky cactus in the natural environment is found on the mountain slopes of southern Ecuador and Peru. Espoosta cannot be called only a round cactus, because its stem retains a rounded shape only at a young age. And in the future, the plant becomes columnar, reaches a height of five meters. Some varieties, such as Nana, remain round all their lives.
A distinctive feature of espostoa is the huge number of hairs that create a whitish, woolly edge on the trunk. Due to this feature, a cactus is often called a "cotton cocoon." These hairs protect the plant from overheating, so it is not afraid even of hot sunlight.
Of all the varieties of cactus at home, esposta woolly, or Lanata, is grown. It reaches 30 cm in height and can have several side shoots. At home, it blooms very rarely and only when kept in greenhouse conditions. Then the plant produces a peduncle with large bell-shaped buds.
Notocactus
This genus of large round cacti, uniting 25 species, is found in the natural environment on the mountain slopes and hills of Argentina, Paraguay, Southern Brazil and Uruguay. They are distinguished by a single rounded or cylindrical stem, which in some cases reaches a height of 100 cm. As a rule, nanocactus have no side shoots, moreover, this species rarely gives children.
Dark green plants have a pronounced ribbing. At the tops of the ribs there are small pubescent tubercles. From each comes from 1 to 5 reddish-brown central spines and up to 40 yellow radial.
Notocactus blooms well at home. At this time, bell-shaped multi-leaf buds appear in the upper or lateral part of the stem. Peduncles are painted in red, yellow or orange tones, while at their base a more saturated, contrasting color. The buds last for seven days, and then fade.
Lofofora Cactus
This round cactus, the photo of which is presented below, in a natural environment grows on the mountain slopes of Mexico and some parts of the United States. Its distinguishing feature is the unusual composition of the juice, in which there are alkaloids. This "nectar" is often used in folk medicine. But excessive drinking causes hallucinations. Therefore, growing lophophore cactus is prohibited in many countries of the world.
The plant has a rounded, slightly flattened stem, reaching 15 cm in diameter. The skin, painted in blue-green, is soft and velvety to the touch. There are no thorns in the culture, but there are dense bunches with straw straw.
At home, the succulent blooms in the summer. At this time, tubular, semi-double buds with a diameter of 2 cm appear on it. Depending on the variety, their petals are painted in different shades: from pale red to snow-white. After flowering, in place of the buds, fruits with seeds appear.
Cactus Parody
This numerous genus includes over 50 species. In the natural environment, they grow in the territory of Uruguay, Paraguay, Northern Argentina and Bolivia. Round cacti are distinguished by a short cylindrical or spherical stem with well distinguishable ribs. On each of them there are high tubercles with pubescent areoles. From them comes from 1 to 5 central bent spines up to 4 cm long, as well as 10–40 short needles.
Succulent blooms well at home, and also produces buds at a young age. Peduncles, located at the apex in small groups, have many petals and a funnel shape. After the buds on the plant, fruits are formed, covered with small thorns and hairs.
Echinocactus Gruzoni
This round cactus with yellow needles in the natural environment grows only in hot areas of Mexico. Its spherical stem, which can become barrel-shaped with age, reaches up to 1 meter in diameter. But at home, culture has a more modest size. Succulent does not scrub and under comfortable conditions does not form children.
The surface of the stem is glossy, painted in dark green. There are ribs on it, the number of which in adult specimens reaches 30–40 pieces. They have densely seated, pubescent areoles merging at the top into yellow “fur hats”. From each comes 4 central spines up to 5 cm long and 10 three-centimeter radial needles. The thorns have a bright yellow color, due to which the second name of the round cactus sounds like a Golden ball.
The plant blooms in late spring - early summer. But the buds are formed only in specimens that have reached the age of twenty. Single tubular peduncles reach 7 cm in length and 5 cm in diameter. Their petals are painted in tan shades.
Lobivia
This numerous genus includes up to 100 species of cacti. In the natural environment, plants can only be found in the highlands of Argentina, Peru and Bolivia. The plants received their name in honor of the last country, but their name is an anagram.
Succulent is a classic rounded cactus. At a young age, the culture has a symmetrical spherical stem. But over time, it stretches and becomes cylindrical. The stem does not branch, but numerous root children form on it. Due to this feature, even one instance of an exotic flower can form a large pillow-shaped colony.
Succulent ribs are sharp or rounded depending on the variety. They areola with hard spines. The culture blooms well in indoor conditions. Single buds up to 30 cm long and 15 cm in diameter. The color of the petals is of various colors and even multicolor. The bud lasts from 1 to 3 days, after which it fades. But in its place a new flower opens. During flowering, up to 25 buds bloom on the culture.
Echinocereus
The genus of round cacti, including 60 species, is found in the natural environment in the southern states of the USA. These plants reach up to 60 cm in height. They have a rounded, short stem, on which lateral shoots are often formed. The skin is thin, painted in gray-green tones. Over time, the base of the stem becomes yellow-brown.
On the trunk there are from 5 to 21 protruding ribs on which areoles are located. Stiff long or shortened thorns come out of them. They can stick out perpendicular to the trunk or fit snugly to it. Each areola has 3 to 30 needles 10 cm long.
Succulents have tubular, multilobated buds with a funnel shape. They are located singly on the stem. After flowering, fleshy, juicy fruits are formed in place of the buds that can be eaten.
Echinopsis
Translated from Greek, the name of this cactus means "hedgehog." In the natural environment, it can be found in Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Young specimens of this species have a spherical stem. But over time, it becomes cylindrical. The peel of the succulent is smooth, dark or bright green, depending on the variety. On the clearly visible ribs of the plant there are large areoles with short hairs. Spines come out of them, the length of which reaches from a few millimeters to 2-3 cm.
The culture blooms with large funnel-shaped buds reaching 14 cm in diameter. Petals are painted in pink, red or snow-white. Some varieties exude a pleasant aroma.
Ferocactus
This genus of round cacti with long needles includes 30 species of plants. In nature, they can be found in the deserts of Mexico and in the west of North America. Depending on the species, succulents have a spherical or columnar stalk. The trunk is solitary or strewn with children. The height of the culture reaches from 10 cm to 4 meters. Some species form large colonies, reaching 2-3 meters in diameter and consisting of hundreds of shoots.
Ribs pronounced and deeply cut. Areola pubescence and large, but at the top they do not form a "cap" of the cactus. The thorns are long, powerful with curved tips. Needles are painted in bright colors and reach up to 13 cm in length.
At home, only specimens with a height of 25 cm bloom. Therefore, the buds will have to wait a long time. Flowering occurs in the summer, while several buds bloom on one cactus at once.
Gymnocalycium
A round cactus with long, twisted needles, found in South America. Translated from Latin, the name succulent means "bare cup". This name is associated with flower tubes, the surface of which does not have bristles or hairs characteristic of other types of cacti.
Depending on the variety, hymnocaliciums reach from 2.5 to 30 cm in diameter. They have a rounded or flat-spherical stem, covered with a dense skin of emerald color. Bent spikes reach 1.5-3.8 cm in length.
Gymnocalycium blooms from May to November. The buds are located on the top of the stem. Lush flower stalks have a bell-shaped form and several rows of lacental petals. Buds reach 2-7 cm in diameter. Their color is red, purple or green.
Rebucius
This miniature cactus grows everywhere in the arid regions of South America. It has a slightly flattened, spherical trunk, the entire surface of which is covered with spiral tubercles. Five central spines and many soft radial needles emerge from the areoles.
If you are looking for a flowering cactus, then Rebucia will be the best choice for you. This plant gives buds already in the second year of life. Funnel-shaped peduncles, depending on the variety, are painted in light red, orange, purple and yellow. As a rule, all buds open simultaneously. After flowering, oval berries are formed on the stem, painted in pale green tones.
Mammillaria
This is the largest family in which there are 200 species of round cacti. They differ in the shape of the stem and the color of the buds, but they have common features - unpretentious character and compact size. In addition, mammillaria bloom very well at home.
Of all the species of this large family, such varieties are especially popular among gardeners:
- Mammillaria sprouting with hairy golden-white spines densely covering the stem. It blooms with small white buds.
- Mammillaria is excellent. Small round cactus, reaching 7-8 cm in diameter. Blooms with pink and red buds.
- Mammillaria Ghana. Cactus with a spherical stem, reaching 10 cm in diameter. The spines are white, soft, resembling hairs. It blooms with pink buds.
- Mammillaria Seilman. It features a short cylindrical stem and dense curved thorns. The buds are bright pink or white.
Plants of this species need minimal care, which includes rare watering and top dressing in the spring-summer season. They prefer brightly lit places and temperatures within + 20 ... + 25 ° C.
Astrophytum
In the natural environment, astrophytum grows in arid and hot areas of Mexico and Texas. Translated from Greek, the name of this small round cactus means "star plant". And this name suits culture. After all, it is a star with 7-8 rays that resembles a plant, if you look at it from above.
The main feature of a large round cactus is the presence on the stem of light felt specks capable of absorbing water. But some astrophytum species also have large, strongly curved spines. Plants of this species grow slowly, but bloom very well. Buds appear on them in early spring and remain until late autumn. Typically, the petals are painted yellow with a reddish throat. Peduncles are attached to the crown of the stem and after blooming last 2-3 days, and then fade.
Now that you know what the popular varieties of round cacti look and are called, you can easily pick up a prickly pet for yourself. And although most species are unpretentious, nevertheless, before buying, ask about the rules for growing a particular succulent.