Succulent Encyclopedia

The only species in its genus, with leaf-like triangular tubercles spiralled into a shape like an artichoke or upturned pine cone. The woolly crown bears white flowers in summer.

A small Gymnocalycium with a dark grey-green body that bears many deep purple-red flowers 3-4 cm across. It flowers even as a small plant.

A Mammillaria covered in soft, finely branched white spines like feathers. The spines are so soft it is one of the friendliest cacti to touch.

A Gymnocalycium with a flattened grey-green body and stout, recurved brown to black spines. It is the largest in the genus, growing solitary to over 30 cm across.

A cactus blooming cute ring-shaped flowers on small globes. Adult size is 3–15 cm. Very many species, ideal for collecting.

A Mammillaria whose globular stems are wrapped in long, fine white hairs. It rings the crown with small purplish-red flowers and blooms freely even when young.

A Mammillaria covered in silky white hair-like spines, like a ball of cotton. Hidden beneath are brown central spines hooked like fish-hooks, so handle it with care.

An epiphytic cactus that opens huge pure white flowers up to 30 cm long at night from the edges of flat, leaf-like stems. They are strongly scented and wilt by morning.

A Mammillaria whose small, slender cylindrical stems are clad in stiff white spines and cluster like handballs. Offsets drop off easily and root readily.