A Genus of Cacti characterised by large quantities of fluffy, whitish hairs. The name is derived from the Greek "kephale" for head.

Native to Mexico.

The name of this Genus is derived from the Greek "cereus" for wax.

(mandacaru) A cactus native to Brazilian coast to the inland desert. Now widespread and cultivated as far away as the west indies. Has a short, woody trunk to 35 cm thick, and attains a height of 10 meters, having 7 - 8 ribs. Has a variable number of spines, usually 15 to 20, of which 5 to 7 are short radial spines. Young plants are a pale blue color, turning darker as they age.

Flowers are greenish with white towards the center. Large, red fruit is produced.

Queen of the night.

Size 16 meters. Flowers in Summer. This is a tree like species and branches very freely. The variable green stems have 6-8 ribs. The branches are 10-20cm in diameter and the areoles are small,set well appart and bear up to 10 acicular, brown to black spines. The rarely exceed 3cm in length and are often much less. The flowers are about 15cm in length with inner petals and greenish-brown to reddish outer petals. The fruits are usually globular rarely exceed 5cm in diamter and are orange to orange red when ripe.

Native to Mexico. Also classified as Nyctocereus serpentinus.

Has edible fruit.

Native to Argentina.

This genus is indiginous to regions of Bolivia and Argentina. These cacti make a hardy and easy to grow specimen for the beginning collector. Requires strong sunlight to thrive. The name of the Genus is derived from the Greek "kleistos" for closed.

This genus is comprised of 70 known species which are generally characterized as a small, globular, somewhat flattened spiny cactus. The tubercles are usually arranged in 13 rows tipped with small radial spines. Several species of this Genus contain alkaloids which are chemically similar to epinephrine. Nearly all species are native to Mexico. The name of this Genus is derived from the Greek "koryphe" for summit and "anthos" for flower.

Popular with collectors and easy to grow, these Cacti are regularly found for sale at nurseries and discount stores.

Coryphantha bumamma -

Native to the Morelos and Guerrero states of Mexico.

Native to the Puebla and Calipan regions of Mexico.

(Wichuri, Bakana or Bakanawa) Native to the Chihuahua and Cosihuirachi regions of Mexico. This cactus is both greatly respected and feared by the Tarahumara Indians. Has small yellow flowers singly or in pairs arising from the center of the crown.

Native to the state of Hidalgo, around Ixmiquilpan, in Mexico.

Native to the Mexican state of Durango.

Native to the Rio Grande area of Texas. Reportedly used in northern Mexico. Also known as C. runyonii and once considered a Lepidocoryphantha. Due to its more complex alkaloid make-up this cacti may be a much stronger candidate as a narcotic or hallucinogenic than the standard C. macromeris.

Could also be classified as Escobaria missouriensis. Native to the central U.S. from Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, to Colorado and Kansas.

Requires a very course sand and gravel soil mix. Let soil dry out completely before watering, these Cactus will rot if overwatered. Propagate by seed or shoots, if a mature plant has tillered.

Coryphantha pectinata -

Also classified as Coryphantha radians. (see below)

Also known as Coryphantha kieferiana. Native to the Mexico state of Coahuila, near Saltillo.

Native to Hidalgo and surrounding states in central Mexico. Was once classified as a Mammillaria radians. Plant characterised by a spherical stem to 7 cm across, being almost completely covered in radial spines. Tubercles are arranged in a spiral and topped with 16 - 18 thick, straw colored spines. Has large lemon yellow flowers. Much variability within the species in the type of spines displayed.

Requires partial shade and a very porous, well drained soil. Will tolerate some cold if kept dry. Propagate by seed.

Native to Texas.

Native to the American desert from Southern Utah, Southwestern Colorado, to Arizona and New Mexico.