Mammillaria is one of the largest genera in the cactus family (Cactaceae), with currently 200 known species and varieties recognized. Most of the mammillarias are native to Mexico, while some come from the Southwestern United States, the Caribbean, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Venezuela. The common name "pincushion cactus" refers to this genus and the closely-related Escobaria.
In 1984, the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study set up a working party, now called the International Cactaceae Systematics Group, to produce a consensus classification of the cactus family, down to the level of genus. Their classification has been used as the basis for systems published since the mid-1990s. Treatments in the 21st century have generally divided the family into around 125–130 genera and 1,400–1,500 species, which are then arranged in a number of tribes and subfamilies. However, subsequent molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that a very high proportion of the higher taxa are not monophyletic, i.e. they do not contain all of the descendants of a common ancestor. As of August 2023, the internal classification of the family Cactaceae remained uncertain and subject to change. A classification incorporating many of the insights from the molecular studies was produced by Nyffeler and Eggli in 2010.
Thelocactus is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae. Members of the genus are native to the arid lands of Central and Northern Mexico.
Selenicereus, sometimes known as moonlight cactus, is a genus of epiphytic, lithophytic, and terrestrial cacti, found in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. The term night-blooming cereus is also sometimes used, but this is also used for many night-blooming cacti, including Epiphyllum and Peniocereus. In 2017, the genus Hylocereus was brought into synonymy with Selenicereus. A number of species of Selenicereus produce fruit that is eaten. The fruit, known as pitaya or pitahaya in Spanish or as dragon fruit, may be collected from the wild or the plants may be cultivated.
Eriosyce is a genus of cacti native to Chile.
Hatiora is a small genus of epiphytic cacti which belongs to the tribe Rhipsalideae within the subfamily Cactoideae of the Cactaceae. Recent taxonomic studies have led to the three species formerly placed in subgenus Rhipsalidopsis being removed from the genus, including the well known and widely cultivated ornamental plants known as Easter cactus or Whitsun cactus.
Harrisia bonplandii is a species of cactus. The cactus plants in the Gran Chaco are generally called tuna and this specific variety reina de la noche. Fruits and roots are edible and well known to the native nations of the Gran Chaco.
Frailea gracillima is a species of Frailea from Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Praecereus euchlorus is a flowering plant in the family Cactaceae that is found in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay at elevations of 700 to 1300 meters
Arthrocereus spinosissimus is a species of cactus in the subfamily Cactoideae from Brazil.
Echinopsis densispina, is a species of Echinopsis cactus found in Argentina.
Pilosocereus albisummus is a species of Pilosocereus found in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Melocactus ernesti is one of the Turk's cap cacti, and is native to Bahia and Minas Gerais States, Brazil.
Stenocereus martinezii is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to Sinaloa in Mexico. A candelabriform cactus typically 5 to 7 m tall, it is easy to propagate from cuttings, so local people use it to build live fences.
Haageocereus decumbens is a species of Haageocereus found in S. Peru to Chile (Tarapacá)
Weberbauerocereus cephalomacrostibas is a species of cactus in the family Cactaceae. It is found in Arequipa Department, Peru and consists of 2 subpopulations.
Cephalocereus columna-trajani is a species of cactus from Mexico.
Micranthocereus estevesii is a species of Micranthocereus found in Brazil.
Aylostera deminuta, synonym Rebutia deminuta, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to Bolivia and northwest Argentina. The exact delimitation of the species varies, but sources agree that it is a short cactus with ribbed stems and orange to red flowers.
