botany Botany, also called plant science, is the branch of natural science and biology studying plants, especially Plant anatomy, their anatomy, Plant taxonomy, taxonomy, and Plant ecology, ecology. A botanist or plant scientist is a scientist who s ...

, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are

plant Plants are the eukaryotes that form the Kingdom (biology), kingdom Plantae; they are predominantly Photosynthesis, photosynthetic. This means that they obtain their energy from sunlight, using chloroplasts derived from endosymbiosis with c ...

s with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in

arid Aridity is the condition of geographical regions which make up approximately 43% of total global available land area, characterized by low annual precipitation, increased temperatures, and limited water availability.Perez-Aguilar, L. Y., Plata ...

climates or

soil Soil, also commonly referred to as earth, is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, water, and organisms that together support the life of plants and soil organisms. Some scientific definitions distinguish dirt from ''soil'' by re ...

conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meaning "juice" or "sap". Succulents may store water in various structures, such as

leaves A leaf (: leaves) is a principal appendage of the stem of a vascular plant, usually borne laterally above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, stem, ...

and stems. The water content of some succulent organs can get up to 90–95%, such as '' Glottiphyllum semicyllindricum'' and '' Mesembryanthemum barkleyii''. Some definitions also include

root In vascular plants, the roots are the plant organ, organs of a plant that are modified to provide anchorage for the plant and take in water and nutrients into the plant body, which allows plants to grow taller and faster. They are most often bel ...

s, thus geophytes that survive unfavorable periods by dying back to underground storage organs (caudex) may be regarded as succulents. The habitats of these water-preserving plants are often in areas with high temperatures and low rainfall, such as

desert A desert is a landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions create unique biomes and ecosystems. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About one-third of the la ...

s, but succulents may be found even in alpine ecosystems growing in rocky or sandy soil. Succulents are characterized by their ability to thrive on limited water sources, such as mist and dew, which makes them equipped to survive in

ecosystem An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system formed by Organism, organisms in interaction with their Biophysical environment, environment. The Biotic material, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and en ...

s that contain scarce water sources. Succulents are not a taxonomic category, since the term describes only the attributes of a particular species; some species in a genus such as ''

Euphorbia ''Euphorbia'' is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the family (biology), family Euphorbiaceae. Euphorbias range from tiny annual plants to large and long-lived trees, with perhaps the tallest being ''Eu ...

'', or family such as ''

Asphodelaceae Asphodelaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Asparagales. Such a family has been recognized by most taxonomists, but the circumscription has varied widely. In its current circumscription in the APG IV system, it includes about 4 ...

'' may be succulent, whereas others are less so or not at all. Multiple plant families contain both succulent and non-succulent species. In some families, such as

Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae (), or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1,800 species. Several genera are commonly known as 'ice plants' or 'carpet weeds'. The Aizoaceae are also referred to a ...

Cactaceae A cactus (: cacti, cactuses, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae (), a family of the order Caryophyllales comprising about 127 genera with some 1,750 known species. The word ''cactus'' derives, through Latin, ...

, and

Crassulaceae The Crassulaceae (, from Latin ''crassus'', thick), also known as the crassulas, the stonecrops or the orpine family, are a diverse Family (biology), family of dicotyledon angiosperms primarily characterized by succulent leaves and a form of phot ...

, most species are succulents. In horticultural use, the term is sometimes used in a way that excludes plants that botanists would regard as succulents, such as cacti. Succulents are often grown as

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or ''garden plants'' are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars th ...

s because of their striking and unusual appearance, as well as their ability to thrive with relatively minimal care.

Definition

By definition, succulent plants are

drought A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions.Douville, H., K. Raghavan, J. Renwick, R.P. Allan, P.A. Arias, M. Barlow, R. Cerezo-Mota, A. Cherchi, T.Y. Gan, J. Gergis, D. Jiang, A. Khan, W. Pokam Mba, D. Rosenfeld, J. Tierney, ...

-resistant plants in which the leaves, stem, or roots have become more than usually fleshy by the development of water-storing tissue. Other sources exclude roots as in the definition "a plant with thick, fleshy and swollen stems and/or leaves, adapted to dry environments". The difference affects the relationship between succulents and " geophytes"–plants that survive unfavorable seasons as a resting bud on an underground organ. The underground organs, such as

bulb In botany, a bulb is a short underground stem with fleshy leaves or leaf basesBell, A.D. 1997. ''Plant form: an illustrated guide to flowering plant morphology''. Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K. that function as food storage organs duri ...

corm Corm, bulbo-tuber, or bulbotuber is a short, vertical, swollen, underground plant stem that serves as a storage organ that some plants use to survive winter or other adverse conditions such as summer drought and heat (perennation). The word ''c ...

s, and

tuber Tubers are a type of enlarged structure that plants use as storage organs for nutrients, derived from stems or roots. Tubers help plants perennate (survive winter or dry months), provide energy and nutrients, and are a means of asexual reproduc ...

s, are often fleshy with water-storing tissues. Thus, if roots are included in the definition, many geophytes would be classed as succulents. Plants adapted to living in dry environments such as succulents, are termed '' xerophytes''. Not all xerophytes are succulents, since there are other ways of adapting to a shortage of water, e.g., by developing small leaves which may roll up or having leathery rather than succulent leaves. Nor are all succulents xerophytes, as plants such as '' Crassula helmsii'' are both succulent and aquatic. Succulent in San Francisco

Some who grow succulents as a hobby may use the term in a different way from botanists. In horticultural use, the term ''succulent'' regularly excludes cacti. For example, Jacobsen's three volume ''Handbook of Succulent Plants'' does not include cacti. Many books covering the cultivation of these plants include "cacti (cactus) and succulents" as the title or part of the title. In botanical terminology, cacti are succulents, but not the reverse, as many succulent plants are not cacti. Cacti form a

monophyletic In biological cladistics for the classification of organisms, monophyly is the condition of a taxonomic grouping being a clade – that is, a grouping of organisms which meets these criteria: # the grouping contains its own most recent co ...

group and apart from one species are native only to the

New World The term "New World" is used to describe the majority of lands of Earth's Western Hemisphere, particularly the Americas, and sometimes Oceania."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: ...

, the

Americas The Americas, sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America and South America.''Webster's New World College Dictionary'', 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. When viewed as a sing ...

, but through parallel evolution similar looking plants in completely different families like the

Apocynaceae Apocynaceae (, from '' Apocynum'', Greek for "dog-away") is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, stem succulents, and vines, commonly known as the dogbane family, because some taxa were used as dog poison. Notable mem ...

evolved in the Old World. A further difficulty for general identification is that plant families are neither ''succulent'' nor ''non-succulent'' and can contain both. In many genera and families, there is a continuous gradation from plants with thin leaves and normal stems to those with very clearly thickened and fleshy leaves or stems. The ''succulent'' characteristic becomes meaningless for dividing plants into genera and families. Different sources may classify the same species differently. Species with intermediate characteristics such as somewhat fleshy leaves or stems may be described as ''semi-succulent''. Horticulturists often follow commercial conventions and may exclude other groups of plants such as bromeliads, that scientifically are considered succulents. A practical horticultural definition has become "a succulent plant is any desert plant that a succulent plant collector wishes to grow", without any consideration of scientific classifications. Commercial presentations of "succulent" plants will present those that customers commonly identify as such. Plants offered commercially then as "succulents", such as hen and chicks, will less often include geophytes, in which the swollen storage organ is wholly underground, but will include plants with a

caudex A caudex (: caudices) of a plant is a stem, but the term is also used to mean a rootstock and particularly a basal stem structure from which new growth arises.pages 456 and 695 In the strict sense of the term, meaning a stem, "caudex" is most ...

, that is a swollen above-ground organ at soil level, formed from a stem, a root, or both.

Appearance

The storage of water often gives succulent plants a more swollen or fleshy appearance than other plants, a characteristic known as succulence. In addition to succulence, succulent plants variously have other water-saving features. These may include: * crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) to minimize water loss * absent, reduced, or cylindrical-to-spherical leaves * reduction in the number of

stoma In botany, a stoma (: stomata, from Greek language, Greek ''στόμα'', "mouth"), also called a stomate (: stomates), is a pore found in the Epidermis (botany), epidermis of leaves, stems, and other organs, that controls the rate of gas exc ...

ta * stems as the main site of

photosynthesis Photosynthesis ( ) is a system of biological processes by which photosynthetic organisms, such as most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, convert light energy, typically from sunlight, into the chemical energy necessary to fuel their metabo ...

, rather than leaves * compact, reduced, cushion-like, columnar, or spherical growth form * ribs enabling rapid increases in plant volume and decreasing surface area exposed to the sun * waxy, hairy, or spiny outer surface to create a humid micro-habitat around the plant, which reduces air movement near the surface of the plant, and thereby reduces water loss and may create shade * roots very near the surface of the soil, so they are able to take up moisture from very small showers or even from heavy

dew Dew is water in the form of droplets that appears on thin, exposed objects in the morning or evening due to condensation. As the exposed surface cools by thermal radiation, radiating its heat, atmospheric moisture condenses at a rate grea ...

* ability to remain plump and full of water even with high internal temperatures (e.g., ) * very impervious outer

cuticle A cuticle (), or cuticula, is any of a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or parts of an organism, that provide protection. Various types of "cuticle" are non- homologous, differing in their origin, structu ...

(skin) * fast wound sealing and healing * mucilaginous substances, which retain water abundantly

Habitat

Other than in

Antarctica Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean), it contains the geographic South Pole. ...

, succulents can be found within each continent. According to the

World Wildlife Fund The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a Swiss-based international non-governmental organization founded in 1961 that works in the field of wilderness preservation and the reduction of human impact on the environment. It was formerly named the ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

is home to around a third of all succulent species, most residing in the

succulent Karoo The Succulent Karoo is an terrestrial ecoregion, ecoregion defined by the World Wide Fund for Nature to include regions of deserts and xeric shrublands, desert in South Africa and Namibia, and a biodiversity hotspot. The geographic area chosen ...

biome. While it is often thought that most succulents come from dry areas such as

steppe In physical geography, a steppe () is an ecoregion characterized by grassland plains without closed forests except near rivers and lakes. Steppe biomes may include: * the montane grasslands and shrublands biome * the tropical and subtropica ...

s, semi-desert, and

, the world's driest areas do not make for proper succulent habitats, mainly due to the difficulty such low growing plants or seedlings would have to thrive in environments where they could easily be covered by sand. Australia, the world's driest inhabited continent, hosts very few native succulents due to the frequent and prolonged droughts. Even Africa, the continent with the most native succulents, does not host many of the plants in its most dry regions. While succulents are unable to grow in these harshest of conditions, they are able to grow in conditions that are uninhabitable by other plants. In fact, many succulents are able to thrive in dry conditions, and some are able to last up to two years without water depending on their surroundings and adaptations. Occasionally, succulents may occur as

epiphyte An epiphyte is a plant or plant-like organism that grows on the surface of another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphyt ...

s, growing on other plants with limited or no contact with the ground, and being dependent on their ability to store water and gaining nutrients by other means; it is seen in ''

Tillandsia ''Tillandsia'' is a genus of around 650 species of evergreen, perennial plant, perennial flowering plants in the family (biology), family Bromeliaceae, native to the forests, mountains and deserts of the Neotropical realm, Neotropics, from northe ...

'' and '' Rhipsalis''. Succulents also occur as inhabitants of

sea A sea is a large body of salt water. There are particular seas and the sea. The sea commonly refers to the ocean, the interconnected body of seawaters that spans most of Earth. Particular seas are either marginal seas, second-order section ...

coast A coast (coastline, shoreline, seashore) is the land next to the sea or the line that forms the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake. Coasts are influenced by the topography of the surrounding landscape and by aquatic erosion, su ...

s and

dry lake A dry lake bed, also known as a playa (), is a basin or depression that formerly contained a standing surface water body, which disappears when evaporation processes exceed recharge. If the floor of a dry lake is covered by deposits of alkalin ...

s, which are exposed to high levels of dissolved minerals that are deadly to many other plant species. California is home to close to hundred succulent species that are native to the state, many of them live in coastal environments. Potted succulents are able to grow in most indoor environments with minimal care.

Conservation

There is a thriving illegal trade in cacti and succulents. In South Africa, several species of succulent have been threatened with extinction due to

poaching Poaching is the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. Poaching was once performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and to supplement meager diets. It was set against the huntin ...

from the wild for the

black market A black market is a Secrecy, clandestine Market (economics), market or series of transactions that has some aspect of illegality, or is not compliant with an institutional set of rules. If the rule defines the set of goods and services who ...

and mining related activities. The plants are mainly sold to collectors in Asian countries, where there has been a high demand for them. Since 1974, it is illegal to be in possession of protected succulents such as the '' Conophytum'' without authorisation in the

Western Cape The Western Cape ( ; , ) is a provinces of South Africa, province of South Africa, situated on the south-western coast of the country. It is the List of South African provinces by area, fourth largest of the nine provinces with an area of , an ...

and

Northern Cape The Northern Cape ( ; ; ) is the largest and most sparsely populated Provinces of South Africa, province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley, South Africa, Kimberley. It includes ...

, the two South African provinces where they grow.

Families and genera

There are approximately sixty different plant families that contain succulents. Plant orders, families, and genera in which succulent species occur are listed below. Order Alismatales *

Araceae The Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe (or leaf-like bract). Also ...

: ''

Zamioculcas ''Zamioculcas'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, containing the single species ''Zamioculcas zamiifolia.'' It is a tropical Herbaceous plant, herbaceous perennial plant, and is native to eastern Africa, including Kenya, KwaZu ...

'', '' Synandrospadix'', '' Philodendron martianum'', '' Dracontium'' Order Apiales *

Apiaceae Apiaceae () or Umbelliferae is a family of mostly aromatic flowering plants named after the type genus ''Apium,'' and commonly known as the celery, carrot, or parsley family, or simply as umbellifers. It is the 16th-largest family of flowering p ...

: '' Azorella, Crithmum'' *

Araliaceae The Araliaceae are a family of flowering plants composed of about 43 genera and around 1500 species consisting of primarily woody plants and some herbaceous plants commonly called the ginseng family. The morphology of Araliaceae varies widely ...

: '' Cussonia'' Order Arecales (also called Principes) *

Arecaceae The Arecaceae () is a family (biology), family of perennial plant, perennial, flowering plants in the Monocotyledon, monocot order Arecales. Their growth form can be climbing palm, climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly k ...

(also called Palmae) '' Jubaea'' Order

Asparagales Asparagales (asparagoid lilies) are a diverse order of flowering plants in the monocots. Under the APG IV system of flowering plant classification, Asparagales are the largest order of monocots with 14 families, 1,122 genera, and about 36,00 ...

Amaryllidaceae The Amaryllidaceae are a family of herbaceous, mainly perennial and bulbous (rarely rhizomatous) flowering plants in the monocot order Asparagales. The family takes its name from the genus '' Amaryllis'' and is commonly known as the amaryl ...

(geophytes): '' Amaryllis'', '' Boophone'', '' Clivia,'' '' Crinum,

Cryptostephanus ''Cryptostephanus'' is a genus of African plants in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Its closest relative is ''Clivia'', with which it shares some characters, including thick, fleshy ...

'', '' Cyrtanthus'', '' Haemanthus'', '' Rauhia'', '' Scadoxus'', '' Stenomesson'' *

Asparagaceae Asparagaceae (), known as the asparagus family, is a family of flowering plants, placed in the order Asparagales of the monocots. The family name is based on the edible garden asparagus, '' Asparagus officinalis''. This family includes both ...

** Agavoideae: ''

Agave ''Agave'' (; ; ) is a genus of monocots native to the arid regions of the Americas. The genus is primarily known for its succulent and xerophytic species that typically form large Rosette (botany), rosettes of strong, fleshy leaves. Many plan ...

'', '' Beschorneria'', '' Furcraea'', '' Hesperaloe'', '' Hesperoyucca'', '' Manfreda, Polianthes,'' ''

Yucca ''Yucca'' ( , YUCK-uh) is both the scientific name and common name for a genus native to North America from Panama to southern Canada. It contains 50 accepted species. In addition to yucca, they are also known as Adam's needle or Spanish-bayon ...

'' ** Lomandroideae: ''

Cordyline ''Cordyline'' is a genus of about 24 species of woody monocotyledonous flowering plants in family (biology), family Asparagaceae, subfamily Lomandroideae. The subfamily has previously been treated as a separate family Laxmanniaceae, or Lomandrace ...

'' ** Nolinoideae: '' Beaucarnea'', '' Calibanus'', ''

Dasylirion ''Dasylirion'' is a genus of succulent, rosette-forming plants in the Asparagaceae family (where it is included in the Nolinoideae subfamily). Most species are native to mountainous arid regions of Mexico, with some species also native to the Sou ...

'', '' Dracaena'', '' Nolina'' ** Scilloideae (Hyacinthaceae): '' Albuca'', '' Bowiea'', '' Daubenya'', '' Drimia'', '' Eucomis'', '' Lachenalia'', '' Ledebouria'', '' Massonia'', ''

Muscari ''Muscari'' is a genus (biology), genus of perennial bulbous plants native to Eurasia that produce spikes of dense, most commonly blue, urn-shaped flowers resembling bunches of grapes in the spring. The common name for the genus is grape hyacint ...

'', ''

Ornithogalum ''Ornithogalum'' is a genus of perennial plants mostly native to southern Europe and southern Africa belonging to the family Asparagaceae. Some species are native to other areas such as the Caucasus. Some species are classified as noxious invas ...

'', ''

Scilla ''Scilla'' () is a genus of about 30 to 80 species of bulb-forming perennial plant, perennial herbaceous plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. Sometimes called the squills in English, they are native to woodlands, subalpine ...

'', '' Urginea,'' '' Veltheimia'' *

Doryanthaceae ''Doryanthes'' is the sole genus in the flowering plant Family (biology), family Doryanthaceae. The genus consists of two species, ''Doryanthes excelsa, D. excelsa'' (gymea lily) and ''Doryanthes palmeri, D. palmeri'' (giant spear lily), both en ...

: '' Doryanthes'' *

Orchidaceae Orchids are plants that belong to the family (biology), family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Orchids are cosmopolitan distribution, cosmopolitan plants that ...

: ''

Acampe ''Acampe'', abbreviated as Acp in horticultural trade, is a genus of monopodial, epiphytic vandaceous species of orchids, distributed from tropical Asia from India, eastwards to China and southwards to Malaysia, and the Philippines as well as f ...

'', '' Aerangis'', '' Ansellia'', '' Bolusiella'', ''

Bulbophyllum ''Bulbophyllum'' is a genus of mostly Epiphyte, epiphytic and Lithophyte, lithophytic orchids in the Family (biology), family Orchidaceae. It is the largest genus in the orchid family and one of the List of the largest genera of flowering plants, ...

'', '' Cirrhopetalum,'' '' Calanthe'', '' Cyrtorchis'', '' Dendrobium cucumerinum'', '' Eulophia'', '' Liparis'', '' Oberonia'', '' Oeceoclades'', '' Polystachya'', '' Tridactyle'', ''

Vanilla Vanilla is a spice derived from orchids of the genus ''Vanilla (genus), Vanilla'', primarily obtained from pods of the flat-leaved vanilla (''Vanilla planifolia, V. planifolia''). ''Vanilla'' is not Autogamy, autogamous, so pollination ...

'' *

** subfamily Asphodeloideae: ''

Aloe ''Aloe'' (; also written ''Aloë'') is a genus containing over 650 species of flowering plant, flowering succulent plant, succulent plants.WFO (2022): Aloe L. Published on the Internet;http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-4000001341. Acc ...

'' (succulents and succulent geophytes), '' Astroloba'', ''

Tulista ''Tulista'' is a small genus of succulent plants endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. They were formerly included within the genus ''Haworthia''. Characteristics The genus is characterised by a large size (relative to other haworthias) ...

'', '' × Astrolista'', '' Bulbine'' (succulent geophytes, succulents, and geophytes), '' Bulbinella'' (geophyte), '' Chortolirion'' (succulent geophytes), '' Gasteria'', '' Gonialoe'', ''

Haworthia ''Haworthia'' is a large genus of small succulent plants endemic to Southern Africa (Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini and South Africa). Like aloes and gasteria they are members of the Family (biology), subfamily Asphodeloideae and they ...

'', '' Trachyandra'' (succulent geophytes and succulents), ** subfamily Xanothorrhoeoidae: ''

Xanthorrhoea ''Xanthorrhoea'' () is a genus of about 30 species of Succulent plant, succulent flowering plants in the family Asphodelaceae. They are Endemism, endemic to Australia. Common names for the plants include grasstree, grass gum-tree (for resin-yie ...

'' Order

Asterales Asterales ( ) is an Order (biology), order of dicotyledonous flowering plants that includes the large Family (biology), family Asteraceae (or Compositae) known for composite flowers made of Floret#floret, florets, and ten families related to th ...

Asteraceae Asteraceae () is a large family (biology), family of flowering plants that consists of over 32,000 known species in over 1,900 genera within the Order (biology), order Asterales. The number of species in Asteraceae is rivaled only by the Orchi ...

: '' Arctotheca'', '' Baeriopsis'', '' Chrysanthemoides'', '' Coulterella'', '' Crassocephalum'', '' Curio'', '' Delairea'', '' Didelta'', '' Emilia'', '' Eremothamnus'', '' Gymnodiscus'', '' Gynura'', ''Hillardiella'' (geophyte), '' Lopholaena'', '' Monoculus'', '' Nidorella'', ''

Osteospermum ''Osteospermum'' , is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Calenduleae, one of the smaller tribes of the sunflower/daisy family Asteraceae. They are known as the daisybushes or African daisies. Its species have been given several common ...

'', '' Othonna'' (succulents and succulent geophytes), '' Phaneroglossa'', '' Poecilolepis'', '' Polyachyrus'', '' Pteronia'', ''

Senecio ''Senecio'' is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that includes ragworts and groundsels. Variously circumscribed taxonomically, the genus ''Senecio'' is one of the largest genera of flowering plants. Description Mo ...

'', '' Solanecio'', '' Tripteris'' *

Campanulaceae The family Campanulaceae (also bellflower family), of the order Asterales, contains nearly 2400 species in 84 genera of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and rarely small trees, often with milky sap. Among them are several familiar garden plants bel ...

: '' Brighamia'' Order

Brassicales The Brassicales (or Cruciales) are an order (biology), order of flowering plants, belonging to the malvid group of eudicotyledons under the APG IV system. Well-known members of Brassicales include cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprout, broccoli, ...

Brassicaceae Brassicaceae () or (the older but equally valid) Cruciferae () is a medium-sized and economically important Family (biology), family of flowering plants commonly known as the mustards, the crucifers, or the cabbage family. Most are herbaceous pla ...

: '' Heliophila'', ''

Lepidium ''Lepidium'' is a genus of plants in the mustard/cabbage family, Brassicaceae. The genus is widely distributed in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia.Capparidaceae: '' Maerua'' * Caricaceae: '' Carica'', ''Jacarathia'' * Moringaceae: ''

Moringa Moringa may refer to: * ''Moringa'' (genus), a genus of plants * ''Moringa oleifera ''Moringa oleifera'' is a short-lived, fast-growing, drought-resistant tree of the family Moringaceae, native to northern India and used extensively in South ...

'' * Tiganophytaceae Tiganophyta karasense Order

Caryophyllales Caryophyllales ( ) is a diverse and heterogeneous order of flowering plants with well-known members including cacti, carnations, beets, quinoa, spinach, amaranths, pigfaces and ice plants, oraches and saltbushes, goosefoots, sundews, Venu ...

: ''

Corbichonia ''Corbichonia'' is a genus of flowering plant in the family Lophiocarpaceae. Since 2016 it is treated under monotypic family Corbichoniaceae. Species in the genus are seed-bearing, vascular, succulent In botany, succulent plants, also known ...

'', '' Gisekia'', '' Herreanthus'', '' Limeum'', '' Ophthalmophyllum'', '' Saphesia'' ** subfamily Aizooideae: '' Acrosanthes'', '' Aizoanthemum'', '' Aizoon'', '' Galenia'', '' Gunniopsis'', '' Plinthus'', '' Tetragonia'' ** subfamily Mesembryanthemoideae (syn. Mesembryanthemaceae): ''Aptenia'' (synonym of '' Mesembryanthemum''), '' Aridaria'', '' Aspazoma'', ''Brownanthus'' (synonym of '' Mesembryanthemum''), '' Calamophyllum'', '' Caulipsilon'', '' Conophytum'', '' Dactylopsis'', '' Erepsia'', '' Hameria'', '' Hartmanthus'', '' Hymenogyne'', '' Marlothistela'', '' Mesembryanthemum'', '' Phiambolia'', '' Phyllobolus'', '' Prenia'', '' Psilocaulon'', '' Ruschiella'', '' Sarozona'', '' Synaptophyllum'' ** subfamily Ruschioideae: *** tribe Apatesieae: '' Apatesia'', '' Carpanthea'', '' Caryotophora'', '' Conicosia'', '' Hymenogyne'', '' Saphesia'', '' Skiatophytum'' *** tribe Dorotheantheae: '' Aethephyllum'' '' Cleretum'' '' Dorotheanthus'' *** tribe Ruschiae: ''

Acrodon ''Acrodon'' is a genus of Aizoaceae, ice plants from South Africa. It comprises five species, mostly endangered and all restricted to the southern Cape regions of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa. Description Species of ...

'', '' Aloinopsis'', '' Amphibolia'', '' Antegibbaeum'', '' Antimima'', '' Arenifera'', '' Argyroderma'', '' Astridia'', '' Bergeranthus'', '' Bijlia'', '' Braunsia'', '' Brianhuntleya'', '' Carpobrotus'', '' Carruanthus'', '' Cephalophyllum'', '' Cerochlamys'', '' Chasmatophyllum'', '' Cheiridopsis'', '' Circandra'', '' Conophytum'', '' Corpuscularia'', '' Cylindrophyllum'', '' Delosperma'', '' Dicrocaulon'', '' Didymaotus'', '' Dinteranthus'', '' Diplosoma'', '' Disphyma'', '' Dracophilus'', '' Drosanthemum'', '' Eberlanzia'', '' Ebracteola'', '' Enarganthe'', '' Erepsia'', '' Esterhuysenia'', '' Faucaria'', ''

Fenestraria ''Fenestraria'' (known as babies' toes) is a (possibly monotypic) genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, native to the Namaqualand in Namibia. Description The only species currently recognised in this genus is ''Fenestraria rh ...

'', '' Frithia'', '' Gibbaeum'', '' Glottiphyllum'', '' Hallianthus'', '' Hereroa'', '' Ihlenfeldtia'', '' Imitaria'', '' Jacobsenia'', '' Jensenobotrya'', '' Jordaaniella'', '' Juttadinteria'', '' Khadia'', '' Lampranthus'', '' Lapidaria (plant)'', '' Leipoldtia'', '' Lithops'', ''

Machairophyllum ''Machairophyllum'' is a genus of plants in the family Aizoaceae. Species , Plants of the World Online accepted the following species: *''Machairophyllum albidum'' Schwantes *''Machairophyllum bijlii'' (N.E.Br.) L.Bolus *''Machairophyllum brevif ...

'', '' Malephora'', ''

Mestoklema ''Mestoklema'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. Its native range is Southern Africa. Species Species: *''Mestoklema albanicum'' *''Mestoklema arboriforme'' *''Mestoklema copiosum'' *''Mestoklema elatum'' *' ...

'', '' Meyerophytum'', '' Mitrophyllum'', '' Monilaria'', '' Mossia'', '' Muiria'', '' Namaquanthus'', ''

Namibia Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. Its borders include the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south; in the no ...

'', '' Nananthus'', '' Nelia'', '' Neohenricia'', '' Octopoma'', '' Odontophorus'', '' Oophytum'', '' Ophthalmophyllum'', '' Orthopterum'', '' Oscularia'', '' Ottosonderia'', '' Pleiospilos'', '' Polymita'', '' Psammophora'', '' Rabiea'', '' Rhinephyllum'', '' Rhombophyllum'', '' Ruschia'', '' Ruschianthemum'', '' Ruschianthus'', '' Schlechteranthus'', '' Schwantesia'', '' Scopelogena'', '' Smicrostigma'', '' Stayneria'', '' Stoeberia'', '' Stomatium'', '' Tanquana'' '' Titanopsis'', '' Trichodiadema'', '' Vanheerdea'', '' Vanzijlia'', '' Vlokia'', '' Wooleya'', '' Zeuktophyllum'' ** subfamily Sesuvioideae: '' Cypselea'', '' Sesuvium'', '' Trianthema'', '' Tribulocarpus'', '' Zaleya'' *

Amaranthaceae Amaranthaceae ( ) is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the amaranth family, in reference to its type genus '' Amaranthus''. It includes the former goosefoot family Chenopodiaceae and contains about 165 genera and 2,040 species, maki ...

: ** subfamily Amaranthoideae: '' Arthraerva'' ** subfamily

Chenopodioideae The Chenopodioideae are a subfamily of the flowering plant family Amaranthaceae in the APG III system, which is largely based on molecular phylogeny, but were included – together with other subfamilies – in the family Chenopodiaceae, or goose ...

(family Chenopodiaceae):) ''

Atriplex ''Atriplex'' () is a plant genus of about 250 species, known by the common names of saltbush and orache (; also spelled orach). It belongs to the subfamily Chenopodioideae of the family Amaranthaceae ''s.l.''. The genus is quite variable and ...

'', '' Chenopodium'', '' Dissocarpus'', '' Einadia'', '' Enchylaena'', '' Eremophea'', '' Halopeplis'', '' Maireana'', '' Malacocera'', '' Neobassia'', '' Osteocarpum'', '' Rhagodia'', '' Roycea'', '' Halosarcia'', '' Salicornia'', '' Salsola'', '' Sarcocornia'', '' Sclerochlamys'', ''

Sclerolaena ''Sclerolaena '' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Amaranthaceae. It includes 78 species of Annual plant, annuals or short-lived perennials native to Australia. Species 78 species are accepted. *''Sclerolaena aellenii'' *''Sclerola ...

'', '' Suaeda'', '' Tecticornia'', '' Threlkeldia'' * Anacampserotaceae: '' Anacampseros'', '' Avonia'', '' Grahamia'' *

Basellaceae Basellaceae is a family (biology), family of flowering plants in the order Caryophyllales, in the clade core eudicots, according to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. The family comprises 19 known species of herbaceous plants in four genera: * ''An ...

: '' Anredera'', '' Basella'' *

: '' Acanthocalycium'', '' Acanthocereus'', '' Ariocarpus'', '' Armatocereus'', '' Arrojadoa'', '' Arthrocereus'', '' Astrophytum'', '' Austrocactus'', '' Aztekium'', '' Bergerocactus'', '' Blossfeldia'', '' Brachycereus'', '' Browningia'', '' Brasilicereus'', '' Calymmanthium'', '' Carnegiea'', '' Cephalocereus'', '' Cephalocleistocactus'', '' Cereus'', '' Cintia'', ''

Cipocereus ''Cipocereus'' is a genus of cactus, cacti from Brazil. These species were previously included in the genera ''Pilosocereus'' and ''Cereus (plant), Cereus''. Description The plants of the genus ''Cipocereus'' are bushy, sometimes branched and co ...

'', '' Cleistocactus'', '' Coleocephalocereus'', '' Copiapoa'', '' Corryocactus'', '' Coryphantha'', '' Dendrocereus'', '' Denmoza'', '' Discocactus'', '' Disocactus'', '' Echinocactus'', '' Echinocereus'', '' Echinopsis'', '' Epiphyllum'', '' Epithelantha'', '' Eriosyce'', '' Escobaria'', '' Escontria'', '' Espostoa'', '' Espostoopsis'', '' Eulychnia'', '' Facheiroa'', '' Ferocactus'', '' Frailea'', ''

Geohintonia ''Geohintonia mexicana'' (discovered in 1992) is a species of cactus, cacti, the only species in the genus ''Geohintonia''. This genus is named after its discoverer George S. Hinton. As its specific name (botany), specific epithet suggests, the pl ...

'', '' Gymnocalycium'', '' Haageocereus'', '' Harrisia'', '' Hatiora'', '' Hylocereus'', '' Jasminocereus'', '' Lasiocereus'', '' Lepismium'', '' Leptocereus'', '' Leuchtenbergia'', '' Lophophora'', '' Maihuenia'', '' Mammillaria'', '' Matucana'', ''

Melocactus ''Melocactus'' (melon cactus), also known as the Turk's head cactus, Turk's cap cactus, or Pope's head cactus, is a genus of cactus with about 30–40 species. They are native to the Caribbean, western Mexico through Central America to northern S ...

'', ''

Micranthocereus ''Micranthocereus'' is genus of cactus. It originates from Brazil and includes about 10species. The two genera ''Austrocephalocereus'' and ''Siccobaccatus'' have been brought into synonym (taxonomy), synonymy with this genus. Species , Plants o ...

'', '' Mila'', '' Monvillea'', '' Myrtillocactus'', '' Neobuxbaumia'', '' Neoraimondia'', '' Neowerdermannia'', '' Obregonia'', ''

Opuntia ''Opuntia'', commonly called the prickly pear cactus, is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae, many known for their flavorful fruit and showy flowers. Cacti are native to the Americas, and are well adapted to arid clima ...

'', '' Cylindropuntia'', '' Oreocereus'', '' Oroya'', '' Ortegocactus'', '' Pachycereus'', '' Parodia'', '' Pediocactus'', '' Pelecyphora'', '' Peniocereus'', '' Pereskia'', '' Pereskiopsis'', '' Pilosocereus'', '' Polaskia'', '' Praecereus'', '' Pseudoacanthocereus'', ''

Pseudorhipsalis ''Pseudorhipsalis'' is genus of cactus, cacti. This genus is often included in ''Disocactus''. It is epiphytic, many branched, and elongated with flattened, serrated cladodes. In its early life, it stands erect, but soon becomes prostrate. It pro ...

'', '' Pterocactus'', '' Pygmaeocereus'', '' Quiabentia'', '' Rauhocereus'', '' Rebutia'', '' Rhipsalis'', ''

Schlumbergera ''Schlumbergera'' is a small genus of cactus, cacti with six to nine species found in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil. These plants grow on trees or rocks in habitats that are generally shady with high humidity, and can be quite d ...

'', '' Sclerocactus'', '' Selenicereus'', '' Stenocactus'', ''

Stenocereus ''Stenocereus'' () is a genus of columnar or tree-like cactus, cacti from the Baja California Peninsula and other parts of Mexico, Arizona in the United States, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Venezuela and the West Indies. The genus has been en ...

'', '' Stephanocereus'', '' Stetsonia'', '' Strombocactus'', '' Tacinga'', '' Thelocactus'', '' Trichocereus'' '' Turbinicarpus'', '' Uebelmannia'', '' Weberbauerocereus'', ''

Weberocereus ''Weberocereus'' is genus of cacti. It produces a green and white flower and is found mainly in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Description The species of the genus ''Weberocereus'' grows climbing or hanging, epiphytic or lithophytic. Their shoots, w ...

'' * Didiereaceae: '' Alluaudia'', '' Alluaudiopsis'', '' Calyptrotheca'', '' Decaria'', '' Didierea'', '' Portulacaria'' * Molluginaceae: '' Hypertelis'' *

Montiaceae Montiaceae are a family of flowering plants, comprising about 14 genera with about 230 known species, ranging from small herbaceous plants to shrubs. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution. The family Montiaceae was newly adopted in the APG ...

: '' Cistanthe'', '' Calandrinia'', '' Erocallis'', '' Lewisia'', '' Parakeelya'', Phemeranthus, '' Thingia'' * Phytolaccaceae: '' Phytolacca'' * Portulacaceae: '' Portulaca'' * Talinaceae: '' Amphipetalum'', '' Talinella'', '' Talinum'' Order Commelinales * Commelinaceae: '' Aneilema'', '' Callisia'', '' Cyanotis'', '' Tradescantia'', '' Tripogandra'' Order Cornales * Loasaceae: '' Schismocarpus'' Order

Cucurbitales The Cucurbitales are an order of flowering plants, included in the rosid group of dicotyledons. This order mostly belongs to tropical areas, with limited presence in subtropical and temperate regions. The order includes shrubs and trees, togeth ...

* Begoniaceae: ''

Begonia ''Begonia'' is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. The genus contains more than 2,000 different plant species. The Begonias are native to moist subtropical and tropical climates. Some species are commonly grown ...

'' *

Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae (), also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family (biology), family consisting of about 965 species in 101 genera.

: '' Acanthosicyos'', '' Apodanthera'', '' Brandegea'', '' Cephalopentandra'', '' Ceratosanthes'', '' Citrullus'', '' Coccinia'', '' Corallocarpus'', '' Cucumella'', ''

Cucumis __NOTOC__ ''Cucumis'' is a genus of vine, twining, tendril-bearing plants in the Family (biology), family Cucurbitaceae which includes the cucumber (''Cucumis sativus''), true melons (''Cucumis melo'', including cantaloupe and Honeydew (melon), ...

'', '' Cucurbita'', '' Cyclantheropsis'', '' Dactyliandra'', '' Dendrosicyos'', '' Doyera'', '' Eureindra'', '' Fevillea'', '' Gerrandanthus'', '' Gynostemma'', '' Halosicyos'', '' Ibervillea'', '' Kedostris'', ''

Lagenaria ''Lagenaria'' is a genus of gourd-bearing vines in the squash family (Cucurbitaceae The Cucurbitaceae (), also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family (biology), family consisting of about 965 species in 101 genera.

'', '' Marah'', '' Momordica'', '' Neoalsomitra'', '' Odosicyos'', '' Parasicyos'', '' Syrigia'', '' Telfairia'', '' Trochomeria'', '' Trochomeriopsis'', '' Tumamoca'', '' Xerosicyos'', '' Zehneria'', '' Zygosicyos'' Order Dioscoreales * Dioscoreaceae: '' Dioscorea'' Order

Ericales The Ericales are a large and diverse order of flowering plants in the asterid group of the eudicots. Well-known and economically important members of this order include tea and ornamental camellias, persimmon, ebony, blueberry, cranberry, l ...

Balsaminaceae The Balsaminaceae (commonly known as the balsam family) are a family of dicotyledonous plants, comprising two genera: ''Impatiens'', which consists of over 1000 species, and '' Hydrocera'', consisting of 1 species. The flowering plants may be an ...

: ''

Impatiens ''Impatiens'' is a genus of more than 1,000 species of flowering plants, widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and the tropics. Together with the genus ''Hydrocera'' (one species), ''Impatiens'' make up the family (biology), f ...

'' *

Ericaceae The Ericaceae () are a Family (biology), family of flowering plants, commonly known as the heath or heather family, found most commonly in acidic and infertile growing conditions. The family is large, with about 4,250 known species spread acros ...

: '' Sphyrospermum'' * Fouquieriaceae: ''

Fouquieria ''Fouquieria'' is a genus of 11 species of desert Flowering plant, flowering plants, the sole genus in the Family (biology), family Fouquieriaceae. The genus is native to North America and includes the ocotillo (''Fouquieria splendens, F. splende ...

'' Order Fabales *

Fabaceae Fabaceae () or Leguminosae,International Code of Nomen ...

: '' Delonix'', '' Dolichos'', ''

Erythrina ''Erythrina'' is a genus of plants in the pea family, Fabaceae. It contains about 130 species, which are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. They are trees, with the larger species growing up to in height. These species ...

'', '' Lotononis'', ''

Lupinus ''Lupinus'', commonly known as lupin, lupine, or regionally bluebonnet, is a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus includes over 199 species, with centre of diversity, centres of diversity in North America, North and South A ...

'', '' Neorautanenia'', '' Pachyrhizus'', '' Tylosema'' Order Filicales *

Polypodiaceae Polypodiaceae is a Family (biology), family of ferns. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), the family includes around 65 genus, genera and an estimated 1,650 species and is placed in the order Polypodiales, suborder ...

: ''Drymoglossum niphoboloides'', ''Lecanopteris carnosa'' Order Gentianales *

: ''

Adenium ''Adenium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae first described as a genus in 1819. It is native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Cultivation and uses ''Adenium obesum'' is grown as a houseplant in temperate and tropic ...

'', ''

Mandevilla ''Mandevilla'' is a genus of tropical and subtropical flowering vines belonging to the family Apocynaceae. It was first described as a genus in 1840. A common name is rocktrumpet. ''Mandevilla'' species are native to the Southwestern United St ...

'', '' Pachypodium'', '' Plumeria'' ** subfamily

Asclepiadoideae The Asclepiadoideae are a subfamily of plants in the family Apocynaceae. Formerly, it was treated as a separate family under the name Asclepiadaceae, e.g. by APG II, and known as the milkweed family. They form a group of perennial herbs, twinin ...

(syn.

Asclepiadaceae The Asclepiadoideae are a subfamily of plants in the family Apocynaceae. Formerly, it was treated as a separate family under the name Asclepiadaceae, e.g. by APG II, and known as the milkweed family. They form a group of perennial herbs, twinin ...

): '' Absolmsia'', '' Australluma'', '' Aspidoglossum'', '' Aspidonepsis'', '' Baynesia'', '' Brachystelma'', '' Ceropegia'', '' Chlorocyathus'', '' Cibirhiza'', '' Cordylogyne'', '' Cynanchum'', '' Dischidia'', '' Dischidiopsis'', '' Duvaliandra'', '' Eustegia'', '' Fanninia'', ''

Fockea ''Fockea'' is a genus of succulent scrubs native to Africa south of the equator. They are members of the Asclepiadoideae (milkweeds), a subfamily of the dogbane family Apocynaceae. Of the six accepted species, only the two most widely distributed ...

'', '' Glossostelma'', '' Hoya'', '' Ischnolepis'', '' Lavrania'', '' Marsdenia'', '' Miraglossum'', '' Odontostelma'', '' Ophionella'', '' Orbeanthus'', '' Pachycarpus'', ''

Parapodium In invertebrates, the term parapodium ( Gr. ''para'', beyond or beside + ''podia'', feet; : parapodia) refers to lateral outgrowths or protrusions from the body. Parapodia are predominantly found in annelids, where they are paired, unjointed late ...

'', '' Periglossum'', '' Petopentia'', '' Raphionacme'', '' Riocreuxia'', '' Sarcorrhiza'', '' Schizoglossum'', '' Schlechterella'', '' Stathmostelma'', '' Stenostelma'', '' Stomatostemma'', '' Trachycalymma'', '' Trichocaulon'', ''Tylophora'' (now in '' Vincetoxicum''), ''

Woodia ''Woodia'' is a genus in the family Apocynaceae first described as a genus in 1894. It is native to southern Africa. Species # ''Woodia mucronata'' N.E.Br. # ''Woodia singularis'' N.E. Br. # ''Woodia verruculosa'' Schltr. References

...

'', '' Xysmalobium'' *** tribe Asclepiadeae: **** subtribe Asclepiadne: '' Asclepias'', **** subtribe Gonolobinae: '' Matelea'', *** tribe Maxillarieae: **** subtribe Lycastinae: '' Rudolfiella'' *** tribe Stapelieae: '' Angolluma'', '' Caralluma'', '' Desmidorchis'', '' Duvalia'', '' Echidnopsis'', '' Edithcolea'', '' Frerea'', '' Hoodia'', '' Huernia'', '' Huerniopsis'', '' Larryleachia'', '' Notechidnopsis'', ''

Orbea (plant) ''Orbea'' is a genus of flowering plants of the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1812. It is native to AfricaLeach, Leslie Charles. 1975. Kirkia 10(1): 289-291. and the Arabian Peninsula. ;Species Species accepted by the Plant ...

'', '' Orbeopsis'', '' Piaranthus'', '' Pachycymbium'', '' Pectinaria'', '' Pseudolithos'', '' Pseudopectinaria'', '' Quaqua'', '' Rhytidocaulon'', ''

Stapelia ''Stapelia'' is a genus of low-growing, spineless, stem succulent plants, predominantly from South Africa with a few from other parts of Africa. Several Asian and Latin American species were formerly included but they have all now been transfer ...

'', '' Stapelianthus'', '' Stapeliopsis'', '' Tavaresia'', '' Tridentea'', ''

Tromotriche ''Tromotriche'' is a genus of plant in family Apocynaceae. It is native to southern Africa.Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. M. Welman, E. Retief, K. L. Immelman, G. Germishuizen, B. J. Pienaar, M. Van Wyk & A. Nicholas. 1987. List of species of southe ...

'', '' Whitesloanea'' ** subfamily Periplocoideae: *** tribe Cryptolepideae: '' Cryptolepis'' *

Rubiaceae Rubiaceae () is a family (biology), family of flowering plants, commonly known as the coffee, madder, or bedstraw family. It consists of terrestrial trees, shrubs, lianas, or herbs that are recognizable by simple, opposite leaves with Petiole ( ...

: '' Anthorrhiza'', '' Anthospermum'', '' Hydnophytum'', '' Hydrophylax'', ''

Myrmecodia ''Myrmecodia'' is a genus of Epiphyte, epiphytic plants, present in Indochina, Malesia, Papuasia, and Queensland, Australia. It is one of five ant-plant genera in the family Rubiaceae, the others being ''Anthorrhiza'', ''Hydnophytum'', ''Myrme ...

'', '' Myrmephytum'', '' Phylohydrax'', '' Squamellaria'' Order

Geraniales Geraniales is a small order (biology), order of flowering plants, included within the rosid subclade of eudicots. The largest family (biology), family in the order is Geraniaceae with over 800 species. In addition, the order includes the smaller ...

Geraniaceae Geraniaceae is a family of flowering plants placed in the order Geraniales. The family name is derived from the genus '' Geranium''. The family includes both the genus '' Geranium'' (the cranesbills, or true geraniums) and the garden plants call ...

: '' Monsonia'', ''

Pelargonium ''Pelargonium'' () is a genus of flowering plants that includes about 280 species of perennial plant, perennials, succulent plant, succulents, and shrubs, common name, commonly called geraniums, pelargoniums, or storksbills. ''Geranium'' is also ...

'' (succulents and geophytes), '' Sarcocaulon'' Order Lamiales *

Gesneriaceae Gesneriaceae, the gesneriad family, is a family (biology), family of flowering plants consisting of about 152 genera and ca. 3,540 species in the tropics and subtropics of the Old World (almost all Didymocarpoideae) and the New World (most Ges ...

: ''

Aeschynanthus ''Aeschynanthus'' is a genus of about 150 species of evergreen subtropics, subtropical and tropics, tropical plants in the family (biology), family Gesneriaceae. They are usually trailing epiphytes with brightly colored flowers that are pollinate ...

'', '' Alsobia'', '' Chirita'', '' Codonanthe'', '' Columnea'', '' Nematanthus'', '' Sinningia'', ''

Streptocarpus ''Streptocarpus'' ("twisted fruit" from Greek στρεπτός (''streptos'') "twisted" and καρπός (''karpos'') "fruit") is an Afrotropics, Afrotropical genus of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. The genus is native to Afromont ...

'' *

Lamiaceae The Lamiaceae ( ) or Labiatae are a family (biology), family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint, deadnettle, or sage family. Many of the plants are aromatic in all parts and include widely used culinary herbs like basil (herb), ba ...

: '' Aeollanthus'', '' Dauphinea'', '' Perrierastrum'', '' Plectranthus'', '' Rotheca'', '' Solenostemon'', '' Tetradenia'', '' Thorncroftia'' * Lentibulariaceae *

Pedaliaceae Pedaliaceae, the pedalium family or sesame family, is a flowering plant family classified in the order (biology), order Lamiales. The family includes sesame (''Sesamum indicum''), the source of sesame seeds. It comprises 13 genera and approx ...

: '' Holubia'', '' Pterodiscus'', '' Sesamothamnus'', '' Uncarina'' Order

Malpighiales The Malpighiales comprise one of the largest Order (biology), orders of flowering plants. The order is very diverse, with well-known members including willows, Viola (plant), violets, aspens and Populus, poplars, Euphorbia pulcherrima, poinsett ...

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae (), the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants. In English, they are also commonly called euphorbias, which is also the name of Euphorbia, the type genus of the family. Most spurges, such as ''Euphorbia paralias'', ar ...

: '' Cnidoscolus'', ''

'', '' Jatropha'', '' Monadenium'', '' Pedilanthus'', '' Synadenium'' * Passifloraceae: '' Adenia'' * Phyllanthaceae: '' Phyllanthus'' Order

Malvales The Malvales are an Order (biology), order of flowering plants. As circumscribed by Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, APG II-system, the order includes about 6000 species within nine Family (biology), families. The order is placed in the eurosids II, w ...

* Cochlospermaceae *

Malvaceae Malvaceae (), or the mallows, is a family of flowering plants estimated to contain 244 genera with 4225 known species. Well-known members of economic importance include Theobroma cacao, cacao, Cola (plant), cola, cotton, okra, Hibiscus sabdariffa, ...

: '' Adansonia'', '' Cavanillesia'', ''

Ceiba ''Ceiba'' is a genus of trees in the family Malvaceae, native to Tropics, tropical and Subtropics, subtropical areas of the Americas (from Mexico and the Caribbean to northern Argentina) and tropical West Africa. Some species can grow to tall ...

'', '' Pseudobombax'' ** subgroup

Sterculiaceae Sterculiaceae was a family of flowering plant based on the genus '' Sterculia''. Genera formerly included in Sterculiaceae are now placed in the family Malvaceae, in the subfamilies: Byttnerioideae, Dombeyoideae, Helicteroideae and Sterculioide ...

: '' Brachychiton'', '' Sterculia'' Order Myrtales *

Melastomataceae Melastomataceae () is a family of dicotyledonous flowering plants found mostly in the tropics (two-thirds of the genera are from the New World tropics) comprising c. 175 genera and c. 5115 known species. Melastomes are annual or perennial herbs ...

: '' Medinilla'' Order Oxalidales *

Oxalidaceae The Oxalidaceae, or wood sorrel family, are a small family of five genera of herbaceous plants, shrubs and small trees, with the great majority of the 570 species in the genus ''Oxalis'' (wood sorrels). Members of this family typically have divid ...

(geophytes): '' Oxalis'' Order Piperales *

Piperaceae The Piperaceae (), also known as the pepper family, are a large family (biology), family of flowering plants. The group contains roughly 3,600 currently accepted species in five genera. The vast majority of species can be found within the two mai ...

: '' Peperomia'' Order

Poales The Poales are a large order (biology), order of flowering plants in the monocotyledons, and includes families of plants such as the Poaceae, grasses, bromeliads, Juncaceae, rushes and Cyperaceae, sedges. 14 plant families are currently recogniz ...

* Bromeliaceae: '' Abromeitiella'', ''

Aechmea ''Aechmea'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Bromeliaceae (subfamily Bromelioideae). The name comes from the Greek ''aichme'', meaning "spear". Suggested pronunciations include and . ''Aechmea'' comprises eight subgenera and aro ...

'', '' Ananas'', '' Catopsis'', '' Connellia'', '' Dyckia'', '' Hechtia'', '' Neoregelia'', '' Puya'', ''

'', ''

Vriesea ''Vriesea'' is a genus of flowering plants in the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is for Willem Hendrik de Vriese, Dutch botanist, physician (1806–1862). Its species are widespread over Mexico, Cent ...

'' *

Poaceae Poaceae ( ), also called Gramineae ( ), is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos, the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivate ...

: '' Dregeochloa'', '' Laobambos'' Order

Ranunculales Ranunculales is an order of flowering plants. Of necessity it contains the family Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family, because the name of the order is based on the name of a genus in that family. Ranunculales belongs to a paraphyletic group k ...

Menispermaceae Menispermaceae (botanical Latin: 'moonseed family' from Greek ''mene'' 'crescent moon' and ''sperma'' 'seed') is a family (biology), family of flowering plants. The alkaloid tubocurarine, a neuromuscular blocker and the active ingredient in the ...

: '' Chasmanthera'', '' Stephania'', ''Tinospora'' Order Rosales * Moraceae: ''Dorstenia'', ''Ficus'' * Urticaceae: ''Laportea'', ''Obetia'', ''Pilea'', ''Pouzolzia'', ''Sarcopilea'' Order Santalales * Loranthaceae: ''Actinanthella'', ''Agelanthus'', ''Erianthemum'', ''Helixanthera'', ''Moquiniella'', ''Oncocalyx'', ''Pedistylis'', ''Plicosepalus'', ''Septulina'', ''Tapinanthus'', ''Vanwykia'' * Viscaceae (syn. Santalaceae): ''Viscum'' Order Sapindales * Anacardiaceae: ''Operculicaria'', ''Pachycormus (plant), Pachycormus'' * Burseraceae: ''Boswellia'', ''Bursera'', ''Commiphora'' * Meliaceae: ''Entandrophragma'' * Sapindaceae: ''Erythrophysa'' Order Saxifragales *

: ''Adromischus'', ''Aeonium'', ''Afrovivella'',''Aichryson'', ''Cotyledon (genus), Cotyledon'', ''Crassula'', ''Cremnophila (plant), Cremnophila'', ''Dudleya'', ''Echeveria'', ''Graptopetalum'', ''Greenovia'', ''Hylotelephium'', ''Kalanchoe'', ''Kungia'', ''Lenophyllum'', ''Meterostachys'', ''Monanthes'', ''Mucizonia'', ''Orostachys'', ''Pachyphytum'', ''Perrierosedum'', ''Petrosedum'', ''Phedimus'', ''Pistorinia'', ''Prometheum'', ''Pseudosedum'', ''Rhodiola'', ''Rosularia'', ''Sedella (plant), Sedella'', ''Sedum'', ''Sempervivum'', ''Sinocrassula'', ''Thompsonella'', ''Tylecodon'', ''Umbilicus (plant), Umbilicus'', ''Villadia'' * Saxifragaceae: ''Micranthes'', ''Saxifraga'' Order Solanales * Convolvulaceae: ''Ipomoea'', ''Merremia'', ''Stictocardia'', ''Turbina (plant)'' * Solanaceae: ''Nolana'' Order Vitales * Vitaceae: ''Cissus'', ''Cyphostemma'', ''Vitis'' Order Zygophyllales * Zygophyllaceae: ''Augea'', ''Seetzenia'', ''Zygophyllum'' (unplaced order)* Boraginaceae: ''Heliotropium'' (unplaced order)* Icacinaceae: ''Pyrenacantha'' (geophyte) There also were some succulent gymnosperms (but extinct since the end of the Cretaceous): Order Pinales * Cheirolepidiaceae: ''Frenelopsis'', ''Pseudofrenelopsis'', ''Suturovagina'', ''Glenrosa'' For some families and subfamilies, most members are succulent; for example the

, Agavoideae,

, and

. The table below shows the number of succulent species found in some families and their native habitat:

Cultivation

Succulents are favored as houseplants for their attractiveness and ease of care. They have been cultivated as houseplants since at least the 17th century. If properly potted, succulents require little maintenance to survive indoors. Succulents are very adaptable houseplants and will thrive in a range of indoor conditions. For most plant owners, over-watering and associated infections are the main cause of death in succulents. Succulents can be propagated in a number of ways, with vegetative propagation being the most common. This includes ''Cutting (plant), cuttings'', where a few centimetres of the leafy stem is cut off and left to heal, forming a callus. Following a period of approximately seven days, roots may begin to develop. A second method is ''division'' consisting of uprooting an overgrown clump and pulling the stems and roots apart. A third method is propagation by leaf by allowing the formation of a callus. During this method, a bottom leaf is fully removed from the plant often by twisting or cutting. The leaf then dries out and a callus forms preventing the leaf from absorbing too much moisture and rotting. This method typically takes up to a few weeks to produce healthy roots that would eventually create new plants. The vegetative propagation can be different according to the species.

References

Bibliography

* * * (publication date also given as 1930s or 1940s) * * * * * *

External links

Succulent Plants of the World - an iNaturalist Project
{{Authority control Succulent plants, Plant common names Plant morphology Drought-tolerant plants Garden plants

Definition

Appearance

Habitat

Conservation

Families and genera

Cultivation

See also

References

Bibliography

External links