This introduction to the cacti of North-Central New Mexico gives a brief overview of the Cactacea, including general botanical, horticultural, and historical information. You can download this introduction in PDF format here.

The Cactacea, or the cactus family, is a relatively diverse group of about 121 genera and 1600 species. However, the evolutionary history of this family is uncertain as no fossils have been discovered yet. The family is estimated to be on the order of 20,000 years (citation needed) old, extremely young in evolutionary terms, and is likely derived from the Rosaceae, or the rose family, due to its similar flowers.

Cacti are native only to the Western Hemisphere, with their endemic distribution probably extending from southern Canada to southern South America (Figure 1). There are also various species found throughout Europe and elsewhere, but this is believed to be a consequence of trade routes that Europeans established beginning in the 15th century.