Cacti and succulents are often aggroup together in the industrial plant world due to their apportion characteristic of being water - storing plants . However , it is important to note that cacti and succulent are not in the same genus . In fact , cacti are a specific subcategory within the larger chemical group of succulents .
To sympathize this distinction , it is helpful to have a basic understanding of plant taxonomy . Plants are classify into dissimilar categories base on their shared characteristics . The broadest category is the industrial plant land , followed by divisions , social class , orders , families , genus , and coinage . Each family becomes more specific , with mintage being the most specific category .
Cacti belong to to the kinfolk Cactaceae , which is a family within the order of magnitude Caryophyllales . This family is alone consecrate to cacti and includes numerous species such as the Saguaro , Barrel Cactus , and Prickly Pear . Within the Cactaceae family , there are various genera , each containing dissimilar specie of cacti . Some notable genera include Opuntia , Echinocactus , and Mammillaria .
On the other hand , succulent are a wide family that encompasses various plant family . Succulents are defined by their ability to stash away urine in their leaves , stems , or base , allowing them to survive in waterless conditions . They have develop this adaptation as a means of survival of the fittest in dry clime . While cacti are succulent , not all succulents are cacti .
succulent can go to different families , such as Aizoaceae ( which includes plant like Lithops and Delosperma ) , Crassulaceae ( including Jade Plants and Echeveria ) , and Agavaceae ( include Agave and Yucca ) . Each of these family contains different genera and species of succulent plants .
In my personal experience as a horticulture and landscape gardening expert , I have come across a wide variety of succulents , both cacti and non - cacti , in my body of work . I find that the distinction between cacti and other succulents is important when it come to understanding their specific care requirement . While both cacti and other succulent share the power to store piss , cacti have unique growth habits and specialised structures , such as spines and areoles , which gear up them aside from other succulents .
To summarize , cacti and succulents are not in the same genus . Cacti are a specific subcategory within the broader group of succulent . All cacti are succulents , but not all succulents are cacti . Succulents encompass various works families , while cacti go to the Cactaceae kinfolk . Understanding this distinction is all important for properly worry for and appreciating these enchanting plant .
Caroline Bates
