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Cacti & Succulents

Q. cacti or succulent

12 years ago

Ok, i was asked this question and i could show them the difference bettween some i had of each but determining why is more challenging. are there rules to this and does the spices vary? one Q. particular was, are there agave cacti & some that are succulents? I thought ok this is bigger than me ' any help is welcomed.

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Comments (7)

ggarner
12 years ago
As I recall the breakdown is as follows: All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. The cacti are in fact a smaller sub species of succulents. Cacti only originate from the new world and have spines, where as their old world counter parts do not have spines ex euphorbia.
hanzrobo
12 years ago
hijole,

I wouldn't normally refer to Wikipedia, but they have a pretty good section on this, and I quote, " Virtually all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti."
The term succulence describes a plant's ability to store water, an evolutionary trait found in many Families. Cacti evolved in the Americas (New World) and what makes them different are the spines and glochids which emerge from areoles. Spines on non-cacti like Euphorbia do not emerge from areoles but instead are an extension of the plant. There may be exceptions to this if anyone wants to point them out or elaborate. There are many other traits and distinctions but it's too much. I'll provide the link and you can go from there.
I would also suggest searching this forum for the topic as it has been fully (and passionately) expounded upon in the past.

Here is a link that might be useful: or you could buy a book about it
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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
12 years ago
Ryan's nailed it, Hijole and GG.

There are some pereskia which are not considered succulent but which are cacti. All other cacti are succulent plants, but most succulent plants are not cacti.
whip1 Zone 5 NE Ohio
12 years ago
On a related note, is the ZZ plant a succulent?
minime8484
12 years ago
There is actually one species of cactus "native" to the Old World (depending on which theory you subscribe to): Rhipsalis baccifera.
It is native to both the Americas and the Old World, where it is found in tropical Africa, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka. It is thought to have colonized the Old World within the last few thousand years, probably by being carried as seeds in the digestive tracts of migratory birds.
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
12 years ago
Tristan,

I was waiting for someone to use the 'digestive tracts of migratory birds' phrase. Alex, what is Rhipsalis baccifera?
Good to see you here.
User
12 years ago
Hi Whip,

I believe ZZ would be considered a succulent because of the fat, fleshy stems it can develop which are really sort of water storage organs.

Hi GG,

Some Euphorbias DO have spines; even tho' I tell folks I don't grow cacti or spiny plants (other than Holiday cacti). It happens I ended up w/ several Euphorbias including various miliis, which definitely have spines along their stems.

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