Cactaceae

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk

Cactaceae Classification



APGII

 30-200 genera, 1000-2000 species Basal Core Eudicots Caryophyllid clade 

Characterized by

:

 Spiny, succulent, photosynthetic stems  Presence of betalins and P-plastids Flowers that have: many integrating tepals many stamens (hundreds) numerous stigma lobes (L.) Mill.

http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu

http://www.sdnhm.org/research/botany http://www.botany.wisc.edu

Cactaceae Classification

Caryophyllids http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu

    Placentation: Basal or Free Central Group also called “Centrospermae” or central seeds Seed: embryo curls around outer edge of seed, rather than laying in center Plastids in phloem cells: P-type plastids, rather than S-type plastids in other dicots Contain betalins: not found in any other plant

Evolution of Cactaceae

Recent studies of DNA variation and of vascular anatomy suggest that the closest angiosperm family is Portulaceae Cactaceae is a xerophytic lineage which arose from a common ancestor between Portuluceae and the “proto-cacti”

Speciated in the New World, most likely after the split of Gondwanaland

Originated either in Caribbean islands or NW South America http://www.cssnz.org

Subfamilies of Cactaceae

Perskioideae

Smallest subfamily; 18 species Predominately in South America Have differentiated into 4-5 geographically isolated groups within South America and the Caribbean Shrubby, tree-like, one species even forms vines Primitive Cactus Lack of succulence Presence of leaves Areoles with spines 

Maihuenia

(Phil. ex F.A.C.Weber) K.Schum.

Most similar to the “proto-cacti” Many similarites with Portulaceae

Pereskia grandifolia

Haw.

Subfamilies of Cactaceae

Maihuenia tehuelches

Speg

.

Maihuenia patagonica

(Phil.) Britton & Rose http://www.astrokaktus.com

http://www.gargamel-cactus.com

Subfamilies of Cactaceae

Opuntioideae

About 300 species Occupies the most geographic range of the Subfamilies  Coast to coast in North America (E →W), and central Canada to Patagonia Has invaded the Mediterranean, Africa and Australia 5 independent lineages (tribes) http://home-and-garden.webshots.com

(Haw.) Haw.

Maihueniopsis bonnieae

(D.J.Ferguson & R.Kiesling) E.F.Anderson.

http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu

Photos: Alicia Longo

Subfamilies of Cactaceae

Catoideae

Largest subfamily, about 86% of all species in Cactaceae family Over 1,000 species 8-10 independent lineages (tribes) within this subfamily 4 have thought to originated in North America, 5 in South America

Frailea pumila

Britton & Rose Tribe Notocacteae

Arrojadoa penicillata

Britton & Rose Tribe Cereeae http://www.answers.com

http://www.answers.com

Carnegiea gigantea

Britton & Rose Tribe Pachycereeae

Astrophytum myriostigma

Lem

.

Tribe Cacteae

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii

Pfeiff. ex Mittler Tribe Trichocereeae

Astrophytum myriostigma

Lem

.

Tribe Cacteae

Selenicereus wercklei

(A.Berger) Britton & Rose Tribe Hylocereeae Photos: http://www.answers.com

Structure and Function Modified Stems Fleshy, succulent stems

Species unspecified  Some non-succulent, have 'fleshy' leaves instead (Pereskieae)

Photosynthetic Most lack woody tissue

 A woody epidermal layer or stem present in some  Enable cacti to live in hot, dry climates http://sliceoftheday.wordpress.com

Thick, fleshy stem: Reservoir to store water Waxy skin surface: Keeps water from evaporating Surfaces of most cacti can expand/contract to accommodate changes in the amount of water stored

Structure and Function



Modified Leaves Reduced to spines or absent

Few species have well developed leaves

Important benefits of spines:

Predatory defense (deters grazers) Provide shade Light colored spines reflect sunlight, preventing excess solar radiation http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk

Structure and Function



Modified leaves, continued...

Develop from axillary buds, always located on areole

Central spines: grow at apex of areole Radial spines: grow around circumference of apex

Areoles grow in regular patterns on the stem

Alternate Deciduous (when well developed leaves present) Species unspecified http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk

http://www.cactus-chile.cl

Structure and Function



Spineless Cacti

Produce toxic substances to deter grazers

Lophophora williamsii

(Lem.) J. Coult., or “Peyote” Produces mescaline, a hallucinogenic narcotic Illegal in United States Used legally by one, unspecified, Native American group http://www.mescaline.com

http://www.answers.com

Structure and Function

Various species

Root System Fibrous, branching roots

 Shallow and long Exploit water deposited at surface by short periods of rain Some have shorter, compact roots that absorb dew water falling off of downward directed spines

Taproot

Reaches deeper layers of soil Helps anchor the plant, as well as obtaining deeper lying water and nutrients http://www.cactusmuseum.com

Notocactus arechavaletai

(Speg.) Hert.

Structure and Function

Echinocereus fasciculatus

(Engelm. ex B. D. Jacks.) L. D. Benson 

Flowers

 Present in all cacti Many are short-lived (days); Some only open at night Short blooming periods lessen amount of water that may evaporate through petals Solitary or inflorescences Can be fragrant or odorless Actinomorphic Perianth free or joined basally Stamens: numerous Carpels: 3-numerous Ovary: inferior, embedded in tip of stem Placentation: parietal http://www.botany.hawaii.edu

Rathbunia alamosensis (J. Coulter) Britton & Rose

Lygaeus equestris

(L.)

Sulcorebutia gerosenilis

Riha & Arandia http://gis.esri.com

http://www.cactus-art.biz

Echinocereus reichenbachii

(Terscheck ex Walpers) F.Haage

http://www.atmstravelnews.com

Pachycereus

(A.Berger) Britton & Rose

Opuntia cochenillifera

(L.) Mill.

Structure and Function



Water Storage/Transport Stoma

 Open at night to conserve water

Stem

A reservoir; can expand/contract depending on amount of water to store Cortex mainly parenchyma Cortical bundles and secondary phloem/xylem

Roots

Shallow to absorb surface water during rain Break off during extended periods of drought No water loss to soil

Astrophytum myriostigma

Lem.

Cereus repandus Haw.

http://www.sbs.utexas.edu

Edible Fruit

Economical Importance

http://www.tomzap.com

Berries

Opuntia

(L.) Mill.  (prickly pear, India fig, tuna, etc)

Stenocereus

(A.Berger) Riccob.



S. gummosus

'most tasty'

Cereus

Haw.

•

Ferocactus

Britton & Rose and

Echinocactus

Link & Otto (barrel cacti) Medical Uses Stem extracts can be used as anti diabetic agents, diuretic, laxative, and treatment for stomach ulcers, burns, and kidney disease Florist Trade/Landscaping Multi-million dollar plant business anually Many taken from the wild http://www.sfgate.com

http://upload.wikimedia.org

Endangered/Threatened Species

Astrophytum asterias

Lem.

Sclerocactus brevispinus

K. D. Heil & J. M. Porter

Pilosocereus polygonus

(Lam.) Byles & G.D

http://www.nativeecosystems.org

http://cactiguide.com

Echinocactus horizonthalonius

Lem.

Pediocactus peeblesianus

(Croizat) L. D. Benson http://www.tosca.si

http://www.botanica.uk.net

http://www.centerforplantconservation.org

Florida Species

(Haw.)Britton & Rose (Haw.)Kimnach Photos: http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu

Florida Species

(Raf.)Raf. (Raf.)Raf. Photos: http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu

(J.S.Mill.)Stearn

Photos: http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu

Haw.

Florida Species

(L.)Britton & Rose

                  

References

Binns, Corey. “How Cacti Survive: Surprising Strategies Quench Thirst.” 24 July 2006. 24 August 2008. Buchmann, Stephen et. al. “Gap Analysis of Pollinator (bats, bees, hummingbirds) Species Richness in Arizona.” 24 February 2008. “Cactaceae.” U. of Hawaii. 22 January 2006. 24 February 2008. “Cactus and Succulent Curiosities.” Cactus Art Nursery. 09 January 2008. 24 February 2008. “Cactus Plants (Family Cactaceae).” Enchantedlearning.com. 24 February 2008. “Caryophyllids: Systematics.” University of California. 17 March 2000. 24 February 2008. “Cortex.” Cactus Art Nursery. 09 January 2008. 24 February 2008. Dimmitt, Mark A. “Cactaceae (cactus family).” Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. 24 2008 February. “Evolution of Cactus.” Cactus and Succulent Society of New Zealand. 24 February 2008. Lamb, Annette and Larry Johnson. “Cactus (Cactaceae)” Eduscapes.com. May 2002. 24 February 2008. Mauseth, James D. “Cactus adaptations to dry environments.” U. of Texas. 24 February 2008. “Nichol's Turk's Head Cactus.” Galeschools.com. 24 February 2008. “Oil and Gas Drilling Threatens Endangered Utah Cactus.” Center for Native Ecosystems. 24 February 2008. “Pariette Cactus: Sclerocactus brevispinus.” Center for Native Ecosystems. 24 February 2008. Patriquin, David. “Biology of Cacti.” Dalhousie Collection of Cacti and Other Succulents. 24 August 2004. 24 February 2008. Patriquin, David. “Economics of Cacti.” Dalhousie Collection of Cacti and Other Succulents. 24 August 2004. 24 February 2008. “South Shale Ridge and Endangered Cactus Temporarily Saved from Oil and Gas Drilling.” Center for Native Ecosystems. 24 February 2008. Wallace, Robert S. “A Brief Synopsis of Evolution in the Cactus Family.” Iowa State University. 24 February 2008. Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. “The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval.

” 14th February 2008.24 February 2008.