Which Cactus Are You?

A strong, solid specimen - the Saguaro can weather many storms. It doesn't need much nurturing, and usually grows at a distance to others of its kind. It loves warm weather. It doesn't take much to satisfy it - not very needy. But if seriously injured, it will gradually wilt away.

Prickly Pear Cactus have wonderful usefulness throughout the year. Growing out together in clumps of family-like pads. They wear their Spring finest of yellow or red flowers. They show off their sweet purple fruits at summer's end. The round leaf-pads can nourish as a vegetable. But be careful - handle it gently or it's spines will make you regret it.

Barrel Cactus have curved fish-hook like spines all around its round body. Don't get too close! But it shows very pretty orange flowers throughout the summer. It grows and matures slowly. So it's quite like a round ball when young, only gradually becoming taller with age. They normally grow alone.

Also known as the "Teddy Bear Cholla" (pronounced choy - uh) - because to look at it: so soft and cuddly, with yellowish flowers. But just walk near-by and you'll feel its rage! It's not what it seems! The spiny segments feel like they jump at you. You wonder how they got stuck on your leg or shoe, when you were 3 feet away. They cling and hurt! Be careful, treat them with caution. They spread out, sending shoots: little ones, babies all through the area.

A Staghorn Cholla is a stately tree-like cactus. Its branches resemble antlers, and produce beautiful purple flowers, although sometimes other colors too. It's not too spiny, and typically doesn't attack. Its fruit is large and long-lasting.

This cactus is a tiny specimen, which must be carefully spotted. It blooms in the Spring with beautiful white or red flowers, almost as large as its tiny barrel. A very independent sort, it must be found growing on your land, for it doesn't agree to be cultivated! It often grows alone, but sometimes puts out little barrel branches beside it. It's multiple spines come out in all directions, giving it a shaggy look!

Organ pipe cactus are called columnar, because each one is a single tall stalk. But there are numerous ones all growing next to each other - they like company! They kind of grow upward on a slight graceful curve altogether - at least 5 of them, and even as many as 20. They only grow in a small area of the U.S. - SW Arizona, and are the 2nd tallest cactus in the country.