Plants

Species ID

Golden Barrel Cactus

Scientific Name- Echinocactus grusonii

Kingdom- Plantae

Phylum- Tracheophyta

Class- Magnoliopsida

Order- Caryophyllales

Family- Cactaceae

Genus- Echinocactus

Species- grusonii

These cacti can be found in Mexico. These cacti are endangered in the wild, but are very popular for desert gardens. This plant is also known by other names including "Mother-in-law's pincushion.

Saguaro Cactus

Scientific Name- Carnegiea gigantea

Kingdom- Plantae

Phylum- Tracheophyta

Class- Magnoliopsida

Order- Caryophyllales

Family- Cactaceae

Genus- Carnegiea

Species- gigantea

World's largest cactus, found in southwestern North America. This is the stereotypical cactus that most people think of. It is commonly used as a home for several desert species. It also produces an edible red fruit.

Jumping Cholla

Scientific Name- Cylindropuntia fulgida

Kingdom- Tracheobionta

Phylum- Magnoliophyta

Class- Caryophyllidae

Order- Caryophyllales

Family- Cactaceae

Genus- Cylindropuntia

Species- fulgida

The Jumping Cholla (choy-a) is the most hated cactus in the Southwest simply because, like burrs, its spines can attach to anything that brushes against them. Because their spines are hollow, they can literally conform and stick to anything. It looks quite soft in appearance, but don’t be fooled! They can grow to be 8 feet, so be careful!

Dollar Joint Prickly Pear Cactus

Scientific Name- Opuntia chlorotica   

Kingdom- Tracheobionta 

Phylum- Magnoliophyta 

Class- Caryophyllidae  

Order- Caryophyllales

Family- Cactaceae 

Genus- Opuntia 

Species- chlorotica   

The flowers of this plant are a brilliant yellow hue. They are found on mountains as well as lower elevations. These type of plants prefer gravelly and rocky soils, and grow on the rocky ledges of the mountains.

Soap Tree Yucca

Scientific Name- Yucca elata

Kingdom- Tracheobionta

Phylum- Magnoliophyta

Class- Liliidae

Order- Liliales

Family- Agavaceae

Genus- Yucca

Species- elata

It is most commonly called the Soap Tree Yucca because in the older days, Native Americans used to take the sap out of the trees to make soap. The Soaptree Yucca is a tall 10-18 foot plant with palm treelike leaves.