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 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 roots, 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'' 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,

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

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 biome. While it is often thought that most succulents come from dry areas such as steppes, 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'' and '' Rhipsalis''. Succulents also occur as inhabitants of sea

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 lakes, 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 and Northern Cape, 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: ''

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: '' Azorella, Crithmum'' * Araliaceae: '' Cussonia'' Order Arecales (also called Principes) * Arecaceae (also called Palmae) '' Jubaea'' Order Asparagales * Amaryllidaceae (geophytes): '' Amaryllis'', '' Boophone'', '' Clivia,'' '' Crinum, Cryptostephanus'', '' 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'', '' Beschorneria'', '' Furcraea'', '' Hesperaloe'', '' Hesperoyucca'', '' Manfreda, Polianthes,'' '' Yucca'' ** Lomandroideae: '' Cordyline'' ** Nolinoideae: '' Beaucarnea'', '' Calibanus'', '' Dasylirion'', '' Dracaena'', '' Nolina'' ** Scilloideae (Hyacinthaceae): '' Albuca'', '' Bowiea'', '' Daubenya'', '' Drimia'', '' Eucomis'', '' Lachenalia'', '' Ledebouria'', '' Massonia'', '' Muscari'', '' Ornithogalum'', '' Scilla'', '' Urginea,'' '' Veltheimia'' * Doryanthaceae: '' 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'', '' Aerangis'', '' Ansellia'', '' Bolusiella'', '' Bulbophyllum'', '' Cirrhopetalum,'' '' Calanthe'', '' Cyrtorchis'', '' Dendrobium cucumerinum'', '' Eulophia'', '' Liparis'', '' Oberonia'', '' Oeceoclades'', '' Polystachya'', '' Tridactyle'', '' Vanilla'' * Asphodelaceae ** subfamily Asphodeloideae: '' Aloe'' (succulents and succulent geophytes), '' Astroloba'', '' Tulista'', '' × Astrolista'', '' Bulbine'' (succulent geophytes, succulents, and geophytes), '' Bulbinella'' (geophyte), '' Chortolirion'' (succulent geophytes), '' Gasteria'', '' Gonialoe'', '' Haworthia'', '' Trachyandra'' (succulent geophytes and succulents), ** subfamily Xanothorrhoeoidae: '' Xanthorrhoea'' Order Asterales *

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'', '' Othonna'' (succulents and succulent geophytes), '' Phaneroglossa'', '' Poecilolepis'', '' Polyachyrus'', '' Pteronia'', '' Senecio'', '' Solanecio'', '' Tripteris'' * Campanulaceae: '' 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'' * Capparidaceae: '' Maerua'' * Caricaceae: '' Carica'', ''Jacarathia'' * Moringaceae: '' Moringa'' * Tiganophytaceae Tiganophyta karasense Order Caryophyllales * Aizoaceae: '' Corbichonia'', '' 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'', '' Frithia'', '' Gibbaeum'', '' Glottiphyllum'', '' Hallianthus'', '' Hereroa'', '' Ihlenfeldtia'', '' Imitaria'', '' Jacobsenia'', '' Jensenobotrya'', '' Jordaaniella'', '' Juttadinteria'', '' Khadia'', '' Lampranthus'', '' Lapidaria (plant)'', '' Leipoldtia'', '' Lithops'', '' Machairophyllum'', '' Malephora'', '' Mestoklema'', '' 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: ** subfamily Amaranthoideae: '' Arthraerva'' ** subfamily Chenopodioideae (family Chenopodiaceae):) '' Atriplex'', '' Chenopodium'', '' Dissocarpus'', '' Einadia'', '' Enchylaena'', '' Eremophea'', '' Halopeplis'', '' Maireana'', '' Malacocera'', '' Neobassia'', '' Osteocarpum'', '' Rhagodia'', '' Roycea'', '' Halosarcia'', '' Salicornia'', '' Salsola'', '' Sarcocornia'', '' Sclerochlamys'', '' Sclerolaena'', '' 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'', '' Cleistocactus'', '' Coleocephalocereus'', '' Copiapoa'', '' Corryocactus'', '' Coryphantha'', '' Dendrocereus'', '' Denmoza'', '' Discocactus'', '' Disocactus'', '' Echinocactus'', '' Echinocereus'', '' Echinopsis'', '' Epiphyllum'', '' Epithelantha'', '' Eriosyce'', '' Escobaria'', '' Escontria'', '' Espostoa'', '' Espostoopsis'', '' Eulychnia'', '' Facheiroa'', '' Ferocactus'', '' Frailea'', '' Geohintonia'', '' Gymnocalycium'', '' Haageocereus'', '' Harrisia'', '' Hatiora'', '' Hylocereus'', '' Jasminocereus'', '' Lasiocereus'', '' Lepismium'', '' Leptocereus'', '' Leuchtenbergia'', '' Lophophora'', '' Maihuenia'', '' Mammillaria'', '' Matucana'', '' Melocactus'', '' Micranthocereus'', '' Mila'', '' Monvillea'', '' Myrtillocactus'', '' Neobuxbaumia'', '' Neoraimondia'', '' Neowerdermannia'', '' Obregonia'', '' Opuntia'', '' Cylindropuntia'', '' Oreocereus'', '' Oroya'', '' Ortegocactus'', '' Pachycereus'', '' Parodia'', '' Pediocactus'', '' Pelecyphora'', '' Peniocereus'', '' Pereskia'', '' Pereskiopsis'', '' Pilosocereus'', '' Polaskia'', '' Praecereus'', '' Pseudoacanthocereus'', '' Pseudorhipsalis'', '' Pterocactus'', '' Pygmaeocereus'', '' Quiabentia'', '' Rauhocereus'', '' Rebutia'', '' Rhipsalis'', '' Schlumbergera'', '' Sclerocactus'', '' Selenicereus'', '' Stenocactus'', '' Stenocereus'', '' Stephanocereus'', '' Stetsonia'', '' Strombocactus'', '' Tacinga'', '' Thelocactus'', '' Trichocereus'' '' Turbinicarpus'', '' Uebelmannia'', '' Weberbauerocereus'', '' Weberocereus'' * Didiereaceae: '' Alluaudia'', '' Alluaudiopsis'', '' Calyptrotheca'', '' Decaria'', '' Didierea'', '' Portulacaria'' * Molluginaceae: '' Hypertelis'' * Montiaceae: '' 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 * Begoniaceae: '' Begonia'' *

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'', '' Marah'', '' Momordica'', '' Neoalsomitra'', '' Odosicyos'', '' Parasicyos'', '' Syrigia'', '' Telfairia'', '' Trochomeria'', '' Trochomeriopsis'', '' Tumamoca'', '' Xerosicyos'', '' Zehneria'', '' Zygosicyos'' Order Dioscoreales * Dioscoreaceae: '' Dioscorea'' Order Ericales * Balsaminaceae: '' Impatiens'' * Ericaceae: '' Sphyrospermum'' * Fouquieriaceae: '' Fouquieria'' Order Fabales *

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

: '' Delonix'', '' Dolichos'', '' Erythrina'', '' 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'', '' Mandevilla'', '' Pachypodium'', '' Plumeria'' ** subfamily Asclepiadoideae (syn. Asclepiadaceae): '' Absolmsia'', '' Australluma'', '' Aspidoglossum'', '' Aspidonepsis'', '' Baynesia'', '' Brachystelma'', '' Ceropegia'', '' Chlorocyathus'', '' Cibirhiza'', '' Cordylogyne'', '' Cynanchum'', '' Dischidia'', '' Dischidiopsis'', '' Duvaliandra'', '' Eustegia'', '' Fanninia'', '' Fockea'', '' Glossostelma'', '' Hoya'', '' Ischnolepis'', '' Lavrania'', '' Marsdenia'', '' Miraglossum'', '' Odontostelma'', '' Ophionella'', '' Orbeanthus'', '' Pachycarpus'', '' Parapodium'', '' Periglossum'', '' Petopentia'', '' Raphionacme'', '' Riocreuxia'', '' Sarcorrhiza'', '' Schizoglossum'', '' Schlechterella'', '' Stathmostelma'', '' Stenostelma'', '' Stomatostemma'', '' Trachycalymma'', '' Trichocaulon'', ''Tylophora'' (now in '' Vincetoxicum''), '' Woodia'', '' 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)'', '' 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'', '' 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'', ''Myrmephytum'', ''Phylohydrax'', ''Squamellaria'' Order Geraniales * Geraniaceae: ''Monsonia'', ''Pelargonium'' (succulents and geophytes), ''Sarcocaulon'' Order Lamiales * Gesneriaceae: ''Aeschynanthus'', ''Alsobia'', ''Chirita'', ''Codonanthe'', ''Columnea'', ''Nematanthus'', ''Sinningia'', ''Streptocarpus'' * Lamiaceae: ''Aeollanthus'', ''Dauphinea'', ''Perrierastrum'', ''Plectranthus'', ''Rotheca'', ''Solenostemon'', ''Tetradenia'', ''Thorncroftia'' * Lentibulariaceae * Pedaliaceae: ''Holubia (plant), Holubia'', ''Pterodiscus (plant), Pterodiscus'', ''Sesamothamnus'', ''Uncarina'' Order Malpighiales * Euphorbiaceae: ''Cnidoscolus'', ''

'', ''Jatropha'', ''Monadenium'', ''Pedilanthus'', ''Synadenium'' * Passifloraceae: ''Adenia'' * Phyllanthaceae: ''Phyllanthus'' Order Malvales * Cochlospermaceae * Malvaceae: ''Adansonia'', ''Cavanillesia'', ''Ceiba'', ''Pseudobombax'' ** subgroup Sterculiaceae: ''Brachychiton'', ''Sterculia'' Order Myrtales * Melastomataceae: ''Medinilla'' Order Oxalidales * Oxalidaceae (geophytes): ''Oxalis'' Order Piperales * Piperaceae: ''Peperomia'' Order Poales * Bromeliaceae: ''Abromeitiella'', ''Aechmea'', ''Ananas'', ''Catopsis'', ''Connellia'', ''Dyckia'', ''Hechtia'', ''Neoregelia'', ''Puya (genus), Puya'', '' Tillandsia'', ''Vriesea'' * Poaceae: ''Dregeochloa'', ''Laobambos'' Order Ranunculales * Menispermaceae: ''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 * Crassulaceae: ''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, Aizoaceae, and Crassulaceae. 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