Leighton Photography & Imaging

Roughly 75% of all species of cacti belong to the tribe Cacteae. These include the tiny, flat pincushion cacti, the many varieties of fishhook cacti, to the large barrel cacti common in many of our southwestern deserts and mountain ranges. All share a common characteristic: one or more cylindrical, ribbed stems.

Cylindropuntieae is a cactus tribe of the Cactaceae family. It is most easily recognized and known in the United States and Mexico as one of the many varieties of cholla cacti - those tree-like, thin-stemmed with vicious spines and beautiful flowers in the springtime.

Opuntioideae is a widespread subfamily of the cactus family, Cactaceae, and are more commonly known collectively as prickly-pear cacti, those with flat pads or paddles, that are important both commercially and agriculturally. They are found in nearly every state of the United States, excluding most of New England and are also native to every Canadian province west of Quebec.

Pachycereeae is a cactus tribe of the Cactaceae family that include our smallest clustering hedgehog cacti to the mighty branched saguaro that is the iconic symbol of the American Southwest. Members of this tribe are native to Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States.