Cactus Identification

Name:

Date:

Instructions: From towering saguaros to tiny button cacti, test your knowledge of these fascinating desert survivors!

1.
Which iconic cactus can grow up to 40 feet tall and is a symbol of the American Southwest?
A
Organ Pipe Cactus
B
Joshua Tree
C
Saguaro
D
Barrel Cactus
2.
What type of cactus has flat, paddle-shaped segments and is also called "Prickly Pear"?
A
Mammillaria
B
Cereus
C
Echinocactus
D
Opuntia
3.
Which small, round cactus is covered in hooked spines and is commonly called the "Fishhook Cactus"?
A
Gymnocalycium
B
Ferocactus
C
Mammillaria
D
Astrophytum
4.
The Peyote cactus is known for containing what type of substance?
A
A natural antibiotic
B
A psychoactive compound (mescaline)
C
A powerful dye
D
A potent poison
5.
Which cactus blooms only at night with large, fragrant white flowers that wilt by morning?
A
Night-Blooming Cereus
B
Queen of the Night
C
Star Cactus
D
Moon Cactus
6.
What is the edible fruit of the Opuntia cactus called?
A
Dragon fruit
B
Cactus berry
C
Prickly pear fruit (tuna)
D
Desert fig
7.
Which cactus is also known as "Old Man Cactus" because of its covering of long white hairs?
A
Pilosocereus leucocephalus
B
Cephalocereus senilis
C
Espostoa lanata
D
Oreocereus trollii
8.
The Barrel Cactus gets its name from what feature?
A
Its flowers look like barrel tops
B
Its bark looks like a barrel
C
Its barrel-like cylindrical shape
D
It was used to store water in barrels
9.
Which popular holiday cactus has flat, segmented stems and blooms around Thanksgiving or Christmas?
A
Crown of Thorns
B
Easter Cactus
C
Moon Cactus
D
Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)
10.
What brightly colored cactus is actually two cacti grafted together, with a colorful top on a green base?
A
Star Cactus
B
Painted Cactus
C
Moon Cactus
D
Rainbow Cactus
11.
Which cactus species is farmed commercially for the production of cochineal dye?
A
Barrel Cactus
B
San Pedro
C
Opuntia (Prickly Pear)
D
Saguaro
12.
The "Bunny Ears Cactus" is a variety of Opuntia known for what feature?
A
Soft, fur-like spines
B
Pairs of oval pads that look like rabbit ears
C
Pink flower buds at the tips
D
Long, floppy segments
13.
Which tall, columnar cactus is sometimes used as a living fence in Mexico and Central America?
A
Mexican Fence Post Cactus
B
Totem Pole Cactus
C
Organ Pipe Cactus
D
San Pedro Cactus
14.
What unique feature does the Astrophytum asterias (Star Cactus) have?
A
Triangular stems
B
Blue-colored flesh
C
No spines at all
D
Leaves instead of spines
15.
How does a cactus primarily perform photosynthesis since most lack traditional leaves?
A
Through their spines
B
Through their flowers
C
Through their roots
D
Through their green stems

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Saguaro

Question 2

D. Opuntia

Question 3

C. Mammillaria

Question 4

B. A psychoactive compound (mescaline)

Question 5

A. Night-Blooming Cereus

Question 6

C. Prickly pear fruit (tuna)

Question 7

B. Cephalocereus senilis

Question 8

C. Its barrel-like cylindrical shape

Question 9

D. Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)

Question 10

C. Moon Cactus

Question 11

C. Opuntia (Prickly Pear)

Question 12

B. Pairs of oval pads that look like rabbit ears

Question 13

A. Mexican Fence Post Cactus

Question 14

C. No spines at all

Question 15

D. Through their green stems

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