Cactus, Description, Distribution, Family, & Facts
![Cactus, Description, Distribution, Family, & Facts](https://cdn.britannica.com/08/100608-050-684264CB/Saguaro-cactus-Arizona.jpg)
Cactus, flowering plant family comprising 139 genera and nearly 2,000 species, all of which are native to the New World with one possible exception. Most cacti feature thick photosynthetic stems and leaves that are modified as spines. Learn more about the members and physical characteristics of the family.
Cactus, flowering plant family comprising 139 genera and nearly 2,000 species, all of which are native to the New World with one possible exception. Most cacti feature thick photosynthetic stems and leaves that are modified as spines. Learn more about the members and physical characteristics of the family.
![](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323702460/figure/fig1/AS:613884679421997@1523372921787/Cactus-species-distribution-Richness-maps-generated-using-cactus-distribution-maps-from.png)
Cactus species distribution. Richness maps generated using cactus
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Carnegiea_gigantea_in_Saguaro_National_Park_near_Tucson%2C_Arizona_during_November_%2858%29.jpg)
Saguaro - Wikipedia
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/The_Cactaceae_-_descriptions_and_illustrations_of_plants_of_the_cactus_family_%281919%29_%2814782869702%29.jpg)
File:The Cactaceae - descriptions and illustrations of plants of
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Melon cactus (Melocactus) Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses - PictureThis
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/21/119321-050-A7232583/Organ-pipe-cactus.jpg)
Cactus, Description, Distribution, Family, & Facts
![](https://cdn.britannica.com/58/154158-050-41AC34F6/Prickly-pear-cactus-plantlets-paddle.jpg)
Opuntia, Description, Distribution, & Species
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Cactaceae — Spadefoot Nursery
![](https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/images/ferocactus/Ferocactus_wislizeni_lg.jpg)
Barrel Cactus
![](https://www.ourbreathingplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Lava-Cactus.jpg)
Lava Cactus l Fascinating Plant - Our Breathing Planet
![](https://cactiguide.com/graphics/pbs_show.jpg)
On-line Guide to the positive identification of Members of the
![](https://coverart.oclc.org/ImageWebSvc/oclc/+-+92450199_400.jpg?allowDefault=false&client=WorldcatOrgUI)
The cactus family