derenbergi—painted lady—Translucent green leaves with silvery sheen, touched with red at the tip, yellow-orange flowers.
elegans—Mexican snowball—Light blue-green leaves frosted with white, pure white on the edge, coral-pink flowers.
pulvinata—chenille plant—Dusty-green leaves of sheer velvet, trimmed with brick red on the edge, scarlet flowers.
Echinocereus melanocentrus Cactaceae Hedgehog Cactus
Small, spiny globes with brilliant carmine flowers from the side of the ball. At its three-inch maturity, the flowers are still larger than the plant.
Echinopsis Cactaceae Easter Lily Cactus
Small, round plants with thick ribs and formidable spines, the lily-like flowers usually opening in the evening. A popular species is E. kermesiana, with glowing red flowers. E. grandiflora is described as only two or three inches across, with five-inch rose-pink flowers.
Euphorbia Euphorbiaceae
Two small relatives of the poinsettia that show little family resemblance.
caput-medusae—Medusa’s head—Sneaky, snaky-looking plant with tangles of twisted, gray-green branches, occasionally tipped with small leaves.