Question on Succulents

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Karrie20x Spokane, WA(Zone 5b) Dec 06, 2005

Are all Cactus succulents?

If so, why do they come from different families? Or do they?

Cactus means they have pricklies? I am confused now on what makes a succulent. And also want to know where this family was derived from. I'd like to know where all succulents are derived from (families, origin, what categorizes them).

Thanks if you can help!

Post #1910250
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Dec 07, 2005

Karrie, you should post this over on the cactus and succulent forum. I think that all cacti are succulents, but not the other way around. But there are a few folks on that forum who know a LOT about this topic, so you can't lose there.

Post #1911898
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faeden SF Bay Area, CA(Zone 9b) Dec 09, 2005

As the saying goes, "All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti." Cacti are all in the same Family: Cactaceae. Succulents are in many different Families.

For the most part, cacti come from the New World and succulents other than cacti come from the Old World. There are some exceptions regarding succulents.

A cactus has one identifying characteristic that no other succulent has: areoles. This is the central area where all the spines emerge. If you look, you can see this area easily. It's circular, white and kind of fuzzy.

These are just the basics. The questions you ask would take a book to answer. I suggest that you not only take Pixydish's advice but do a lot of your own research on the Web. The information is out there for you to read if you are willing to look for it. In addition, you might think about purchasing a couple of books on the subject. Here are two good ones for novices:

Hewitt, Terry, The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents
Anderson, Miles, The World Encyclopedia of Cactus and Succulents

Both books can be found at www.bookfinder.com.

Post #1915972
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Karrie20x Spokane, WA(Zone 5b) Dec 21, 2005

ok - thanks! I won the bet! :-)

Post #1933485
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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Dec 21, 2005

You'll find those books (and many others on Cactus & succulents) in the Bookworm, too http://davesgarden.com/gbw/advanced.php?category=9&submit=Go

If you decide to borrow them from the library or purchase them, I hope you'll add a review when you're done ;o)

Post #1934479
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