Cactaceae
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk
Cactaceae Classification
APGII
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30-200 genera, 1000-2000
species
(L.) Mill.
Basal Core Eudicots
Caryophyllid clade
Characterized by:
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Spiny, succulent,
photosynthetic stems
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Presence of betalins and
P-plastids
Flowers that have:
many integrating tepals
many stamens (hundreds)
numerous stigma lobes
http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu
http://www.sdnhm.org/research/botany
http://www.botany.wisc.edu
Cactaceae
Classification
Caryophyllids
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu
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Placentation: Basal or Free Central
Group also called “Centrospermae” or central seeds
Seed: embryo curls around outer edge of seed, rather than laying in center
Plastids in phloem cells: P-type plastids, rather than S-type plastids in other dicots
Contain betalins: not found in any other plant
Evolution of Cactaceae
Recent studies of DNA variation and of vascular anatomy
suggest that the closest angiosperm family is Portulaceae
Cactaceae is a xerophytic lineage which arose from a common
ancestor between Portuluceae and the “proto-cacti”
Speciated in the New World, most likely after the split of
Gondwanaland
Originated either in Caribbean islands or NW South America
http://www.cssnz.org
Subfamilies of Cactaceae
Perskioideae
Smallest subfamily; 18 species
Predominately in South America
Have differentiated into 4-5 geographically
isolated groups within South America and the
Caribbean
Shrubby, tree-like, one species even forms vines
Primitive Cactus
Lack of succulence
Presence of leaves
Areoles with spines
Maihuenia (Phil. ex F.A.C.Weber) K.Schum.
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Most similar to the “proto-cacti”
Many similarites with Portulaceae
Pereskia grandifolia Haw.
Subfamilies of Cactaceae
Maihuenia tehuelches Speg.
http://www.astrokaktus.com
Maihuenia patagonica (Phil.) Britton & Rose
http://www.gargamel-cactus.com
Subfamilies of Cactaceae
Opuntioideae
(Haw.) Haw.
About 300 species
Occupies the most geographic
range of the Subfamilies
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Coast to coast in North America
(E→W), and central Canada to
Patagonia
Has invaded the Mediterranean,
Africa and Australia
5 independent lineages (tribes)
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com
http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu
Maihueniopsis bonnieae (D.J.Ferguson & R.Kiesling) E.F.Anderson.
Photos: Alicia Longo
Subfamilies of Cactaceae
Arrojadoa penicillata Britton & Rose
Tribe Cereeae
Catoideae
Largest subfamily, about 86% of all
species in Cactaceae family
Over 1,000 species
8-10 independent lineages (tribes)
within this subfamily
4 have thought to originated in
North America, 5 in South
America
Frailea pumila Britton & Rose
Tribe Notocacteae
http://www.answers.com
http://www.answers.com
Carnegiea gigantea Britton & Rose
Tribe Pachycereeae
Gymnocalycium mihanovichii Pfeiff. ex Mittler
Tribe Trichocereeae
Astrophytum myriostigma Lem.
Tribe Cacteae
Selenicereus wercklei (A.Berger) Britton &
Rose
Tribe Hylocereeae
Astrophytum myriostigma Lem.
Tribe Cacteae
Photos:
http://www.answers.com
Structure and Function
Modified Stems
Fleshy, succulent stems
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Species unspecified
Some non-succulent, have
'fleshy' leaves instead
(Pereskieae)
Photosynthetic
Most lack woody tissue
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A woody epidermal layer or
stem present in some
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Enable cacti to live in hot,
dry climates
http://sliceoftheday.wordpress.com
Thick, fleshy stem: Reservoir to store water
Waxy skin surface: Keeps water from evaporating
Surfaces of most cacti can expand/contract to accommodate changes in the
amount of water stored
Structure and Function
Modified Leaves
Reduced to spines or
absent
Few species have
well developed
leaves
Important benefits of
spines:
Predatory defense
(deters grazers)
Provide shade
Light colored spines
reflect sunlight,
preventing excess
solar radiation
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk
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Structure and Function
Modified leaves, continued...
Species unspecified
Develop from axillary
buds, always located on
areole
Central spines: grow at
apex of areole
Radial spines: grow
around circumference of
apex
Areoles grow in regular
patterns on the stem
Alternate
Deciduous (when well
developed leaves present)
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk
http://www.cactus-chile.cl
Structure and Function
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Spineless Cacti
Produce toxic substances to deter grazers
Lophophora williamsii (Lem.) J. Coult., or “Peyote”
Produces mescaline, a hallucinogenic narcotic
Illegal in United States
Used legally by one, unspecified, Native American group
http://www.mescaline.com
http://www.answers.com
Structure and Function
Root System
Various species
Fibrous, branching roots
Shallow and long
Exploit water deposited at surface
by short periods of rain
Some have shorter, compact
roots that absorb dew water
falling off of downward directed
spines
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Taproot
Reaches deeper layers of soil
Helps anchor the plant, as well as
obtaining deeper lying water and
nutrients
http://www.cactusmuseum.com
Notocactus arechavaletai (Speg.) Hert.
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Structure and Function
Echinocereus fasciculatus (Engelm. ex B. D. Jacks.) L. D. Benson
Flowers
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Present in all cacti
Many are short-lived (days);
Some only open at night
Short blooming periods lessen amount of
water that may evaporate through petals
Solitary or inflorescences
Can be fragrant or odorless
Actinomorphic
Perianth free or joined basally
Stamens: numerous
Carpels: 3-numerous
Ovary: inferior, embedded in tip of stem
Placentation: parietal
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu
Rathbunia alamosensis (J. Coulter) Britton & Rose
Lygaeus equestris (L.)
http://www.cactus-art.biz
Sulcorebutia gerosenilis Riha & Arandia
http://gis.esri.com
Pachycereus (A.Berger) Britton & Rose
Echinocereus reichenbachii
(Terscheck ex Walpers) F.Haage
http://www.atmstravelnews.com
Opuntia cochenillifera (L.) Mill.
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Structure and Function
Water Storage/Transport
Stoma
Open at night to conserve water
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Stem
Astrophytum myriostigma
Lem.
A reservoir; can expand/contract
depending on amount of water to
store
Cortex mainly parenchyma
Cortical bundles and secondary
phloem/xylem
Roots
Shallow to absorb surface water
during rain
Break off during extended periods of
drought
No water loss to soil
Cereus repandus Haw.
http://www.sbs.utexas.edu
Economical Importance
Edible Fruit
http://www.tomzap.com
Berries
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Opuntia (L.) Mill.
(prickly pear, India fig, tuna, etc)
Stenocereus (A.Berger) Riccob.
S. gummosus 'most tasty'
•
Cereus Haw.
Ferocactus Britton & Rose and
Echinocactus Link & Otto (barrel
cacti)
Medical Uses
Stem extracts can be used as antidiabetic agents, diuretic, laxative, and
treatment for stomach ulcers, burns, and
kidney disease
http://www.sfgate.com
Florist Trade/Landscaping
Multi-million dollar plant business
anually
Many taken from the wild
http://upload.wikimedia.org
Endangered/Threatened Species
Sclerocactus brevispinus K. D. Heil & J. M. Porter
Astrophytum asterias Lem.
Pilosocereus polygonus (Lam.) Byles & G.D
http://www.nativeecosystems.org
http://cactiguide.com
Echinocactus horizonthalonius
Lem.
Pediocactus peeblesianus (Croizat) L. D. Benson
http://www.centerforplantconservation.org
http://www.tosca.si
http://www.botanica.uk.net
Florida Species
(Haw.)Britton & Rose
(Haw.)Kimnach
Photos:
http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu
Florida Species
(Raf.)Raf.
(Raf.)Raf.
Photos:
http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu
(J.S.Mill.)Stearn
Florida Species
Haw.
(L.)Britton & Rose
Photos:
http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu
References
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Binns, Corey. “How Cacti Survive: Surprising Strategies Quench Thirst.” 24 July 2006. 24 August 2008.
<http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/060724_mm_cacti_survive.html>
Buchmann, Stephen et. al. “Gap Analysis of Pollinator (bats, bees, hummingbirds) Species Richness in Arizona.” 24 February
2008. <http://gis.esri.com/library/userconf/proc99/proceed/papers/pap530/p530.htm>
“Cactaceae.” U. of Hawaii. 22 January 2006. 24 February 2008. <http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/Faculty/Carr/cact.htm>
“Cactus and Succulent Curiosities.” Cactus Art Nursery. 09 January 2008. 24 February 2008. <http://www.cactusart.biz/gallery/
Photo_gallery_cactus_curiosities.htm>
“Cactus Plants (Family Cactaceae).” Enchantedlearning.com. 24 February 2008.
<http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/
plants/types/cactus/>
“Caryophyllids: Systematics.” University of California. 17 March 2000. 24 February 2008.
<http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/anthophyta/caryos/caryophyllidsy.html>
“Cortex.” Cactus Art Nursery. 09 January 2008. 24 February 2008. <http://www.cactus-art.biz/notebook/Dictionary/Dictionary_C/dictionary_cortex.htm>
Dimmitt, Mark A. “Cactaceae (cactus family).” Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. 24 2008 February.
<http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_cactus_.php>
“Evolution of Cactus.” Cactus and Succulent Society of New Zealand. 24 February 2008. <http://www.cssnz.org/evolution-ofcactus.php>
Lamb, Annette and Larry Johnson. “Cactus (Cactaceae)” Eduscapes.com. May 2002. 24 February 2008.
<http://eduscapes.com/nature/cactus/index1.htm>
Mauseth, James D. “Cactus adaptations to dry environments.” U. of Texas. 24 February 2008.
<http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/mauseth/researchoncacti/index.htm>
“Nichol's Turk's Head Cactus.” Galeschools.com. 24 February 2008.
<http://www.galeschools.com/environment/endangered/nichols_cactus.htm>
“Oil and Gas Drilling Threatens Endangered Utah Cactus.” Center for Native Ecosystems. 24 February 2008.
<http://www.nativeecosystems.org/newsroom/imported.2006-05-11.183224-3/view>
“Pariette Cactus: Sclerocactus brevispinus.” Center for Native Ecosystems. 24 February 2008.
<http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/pariette-cactus>
Patriquin, David. “Biology of Cacti.” Dalhousie Collection of Cacti and Other Succulents. 24 August 2004. 24 February 2008.
<http://cactus.biology.dal.ca/biology.html#spines>
Patriquin, David. “Economics of Cacti.” Dalhousie Collection of Cacti and Other Succulents. 24 August 2004. 24 February 2008.
<http://cactus.biology.dal.ca/economics.html>
“South Shale Ridge and Endangered Cactus Temporarily Saved from Oil and Gas Drilling.” Center for Native Ecosystems. 24
February 2008. <http://www.nativeecosystems.org/newsroom/south-shale-ridge-and-endangered-cactus-temporarilysaved-from-oil-and-gas-drilling>
Wallace, Robert S. “A Brief Synopsis of Evolution in the Cactus Family.” Iowa State University. 24 February 2008.
<http://www.labs.agilent.com/botany/cacti_etc/html/evolution.html>
Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. “The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information
retrieval.” 14th February 2008.24 February 2008. <http://delta-intkey.com>