Cactus Classification Science helps the man to classify the living things according to their family structures. It helps to understand the proficience of the classifications. Classification system of Linnaean is what we most commonly use to categorize the living things. There is also precise cactus classification, which helps distinguish among many other cacti. Cactus categorization is done according to their belonging kingdom. There are typically five kingdoms such as Monera, Fungi, Protista, Animalia and Plantae in which many diverse living beings can be categorized. Cactus classification fetches under the Plantae kingdom.
Cactus classification according to phylum level After classifying the cactus according to their kingdom, cactus can be classified according to their phylum level. This categorization is wholly based on the fundamental body structures of the living beings. Cactus is usually categorized under the vascular plants or phylum Tracheophyta. They can be even classified under its class. This division is entirely based upon the living beings skeletal system, environmental adaptation and reproductive system. The divisional method is another pattern for cactus classification, in which the cacti are classified under their specific division such as Anthophyta and Magnoliophyta. Cacti lie under the class of Magnoliopsida and Dicotyledonous.
Sub-Families of Cacti The cacti are classified into four sub families such as Pereskioideae, Opuntioideae, Cactoideae and Maihuenioideae. Its family consists of nearly 125-130 varieties with 1800 to 3000 different species. This cactus classification is further explained as follows:
Pereskioideae It is a kind of nearly 25 tropical varieties and species of cacti, which are not similar to other kinds of cacti, bearing thin steams and substantial leaves. They originate from the province between Mexico and Brazil. The typical name of genus members is leaf cacti or rose cacti, lemon cacti, although the latter refers to Epiphyllum genus.
Opuntioideae This is one kind of a cactus family, Another name of opuntioideae is also Nopal. Presently, only prickly pears are integrated in this kind of cactus classification from nearly 250 varieties, which are distributed all throughout Americas. The majority of the culinary species are Fig Opuntia.
Cactoideae It is the most important family member of moist plant cacti. Mostly these will be decorative plants. However, few of them comprise of harvest plants.
Maihuenioideae It is the smallest sub-family member and a variety of cacti. This cactus classification consists of two cushionforming, gluey varieties. We can majorly find this at high altitude habitats of Argentina, chile and Andean.