Nothing is more emblematic of the desert than the cactus and having just moved to the high desert of Northern New Mexico, it seems only fitting to discuss the homeopathic significance of Cactaceae family of plants.  Of course, there are many types of cacti, about 1750 species, only a handful of which - some 7 or 8 - are used in homeopathy.   

 Of these the best known to homeopaths at least, and mostly commonly prescribed is the Cactus Grandiflorus, the Nightblooming Cereus.  Others include Anhalonium lewinii (Peyote), Carnegia giganta (Saguaro), Cereus Bonplandii (Harrisa bonplandi, Queen of the Night), Cereus Serpentinus (Snake Cactus) and Opuntia vulgaris (Prickly Pear, known in Mexico as 'Nopal').  No doubt, contemporary homeopaths have conducted experiments (or provings in homeopathic jargon) on other varieties, but the above-mentioned are included in the standard materia medica.