Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Cactaceae
(Cactus Family)


The Cactaceae are succulent plants with clusters of spines and many stamens. They are usually found in arid climates, but some may be found even at higher elevation in the Gila National Forest.

Coryphantha robustispina (Long-tubercled Coryphantha)
Cylindropuntia imbricata var. spinosior (Cane Cholla)
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (Christmas Cholla)
Cylindropuntia whipplei (Whipple Cholla)
Echinocereus coccineus (Scarlet Beehive Cactus)
Echinocereus fendleri (Fendler Hedgehog)
*Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rigidissimus (Rainbow Cactus)
*Echinomastus intertextus (Early Bloomer)
Escobaria vivipara (Pincushion)
Ferocactus wislizeni (Barrel Cactus)
Mammillaria barbata (Green Fishhook Cactus)
Mammillaria heyderi (Pancake Nipple Cactus)
Mammillaria wrightii var. wrightii (Wright's Nipple Cactus)
Opuntia chlorotica (Pancake Prickly Pear)
Opuntia engelmannii (Engelmann Prickly Pear)
Opuntia macrocentra (Purple Prickly Pear)
Opuntia phaeacantha (Brown Spined Prickly Pear)
Opuntia pottsi (Pott's Prickly Pear)
Back to the Index