What's the difference between a cactus and a succulent?
A cactus is any of many types of desert plant, usually with sharp spines and thick stems for storing water.
A succulent is a plant such as a cactus in which the leaves and/or stem are thick and can store water.
Therefore, all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.
How many species of cactus and succulent are there?
There are roughly 1,750 species of cacti worldwide. These plants are primarily native to North America, South America, and South Africa. While most cacti thrive in arid and semi-arid regions, some species can also be found in tropical areas. The term "cactus" comes from the taxonomic family Cactaceae, from the Greek word kaktos (meaning "spiny plant").
There are approximately 10,000 succulents globally. These plants are known for their ability to store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, enabling them to thrive in arid environments. Succulents are comprised of 60 families found on every continent except Antarctica. South Africa is home to one-third of all succulents worldwide. Unlike the taxonomic category "cactus", the term "succulent" is not a taxonomic category.