Best Ornamental

The totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus) is a monstrose form of the senita cactus native to Baja California, Mexico. Unlike the standard species, it lacks functional spines and develops a bumpy, sculptural surface of irregular tubercles along its columnar stems. It is widely cult...

Disocactus anguliger, commonly known as the fishbone or ric rac cactus, is an epiphytic plant native to the cloud forests of Mexico. The species is notable for its flat, deeply lobed stems that grow in a distinctive zigzag shape, and it lacks the sharp spines typical of desert cacti. It produces fra...

The scarlet-striped cleaning shrimp, Lysmata amboinensis, is an Indo-Pacific marine shrimp recognized by a broad white dorsal stripe bordered by red bands and by its long white antennae. On coral reefs it occupies cleaning stations where fishes approach and permit it to remove parasites, damaged tis...

Pilosocereus pachycladus, commonly known as the blue column cactus, is a fast-growing, columnar cactus species native to Brazil. It is distinguished by its tall, erect stems that exhibit a pronounced blue or turquoise hue, accompanied by golden spines and prominent hairy areoles. Mature plants produ...

Echinopsis subdenudata, commonly known as the domino cactus, is a globular cactus species native to Bolivia and Argentina. It is distinguished by its dark green body, which features prominent tubercles and very short, harmless spines that give it a nearly spineless appearance. The plant is highly va...

Charles Garnier was a prominent French architect of the 19th century and a leading figure of the Beaux-Arts movement, celebrated for his opulent, heavily ornamented architectural style. He achieved international recognition after winning the design competition for the new Paris Opera house, which wa...

Taiwan Bee Shrimp is a collective aquarium-trade name for selectively bred freshwater dwarf shrimp in the Caridina lineage associated with bee shrimp. The group includes intensely patterned forms such as King Kong, Panda, and Wine Red, typically displaying sharply defined dark or red areas against w...

Astrophytum capricorne, commonly known as the Sea Urchin Cactus or Goat's Horn Cactus, is a species endemic to the Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico. It features a globular, star-shaped stem with five to eight ribs covered in distinctive twisted, curly spines that resemble goat horns. The dense,...

Cherry shrimp is the common aquarium name for red color forms of Neocaridina davidi, a small freshwater shrimp native to East Asia, including Taiwan. It grazes on algae, biofilm, and decaying organic matter and can reproduce readily in stable freshwater aquariums without a marine larval stage. Its m...

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp are small marine crustaceans belonging to the Lysmatidae family. These shrimp are notable for their symbiotic relationship with reef fish, diligently removing external parasites and dead tissue from larger species in exchange for food. Commonly found in Indo-Pacific coral reefs,...

Melocactus azureus is a globular cactus species endemic to Bahia state in Brazil. It is notable for its distinctive powder-blue epidermis and the reddish, bristle-covered cephalium that develops on top of the plant body once it reaches reproductive maturity. The cephalium produces small pink flowers...

Selenicereus anthonyanus, commonly known as the Fishbone Orchid Cactus, is an epiphytic plant native to the rainforests of Chiapas, Mexico. It is distinguished by its flattened, deeply lobed stems that resemble a fishbone pattern. The cactus produces large, striking magenta flowers that typically bl...

The Emperor Shrimp, *Zenopontonia rex*, is a small marine shrimp belonging to the Palaemonidae family. Notably, it establishes a symbiotic relationship with sea cucumbers and nudibranchs, utilizing their bodies for transportation and defense against predators. These shrimps are popular in aquariums...

Red Cherry Shrimp are small freshwater crustaceans belonging to the Atyidae family, specifically Neocaridina species. These shrimp are popular ornamental additions to aquariums due to their vibrant red coloration and relatively easy care requirements. They are commonly kept by beginner aquarium hobb...

Geohintonia mexicana is a rare cactus endemic to the gypsum hills of Nuevo León, Mexico. It represents the only species within its genus, distinguished by its compact, globular growth habit and production of striking violet-pink flowers. Due to habitat loss and limited distribution, it is considered...

Epiphyllum oxypetalum, commonly known as Queen of the Night, is a tropical cactus notable for its spectacular nocturnal blooms. This epiphytic species produces large, fragrant white flowers that unfold after sunset, attracting pollinators. It’s favored by gardeners and plant enthusiasts seeking uniq...

Selenicereus grandiflorus, also known as the Queen of Night, is a climbing cactus native to the Caribbean. It’s notable for its exceptionally large, intensely fragrant flowers which bloom only at night. This plant offers a unique ornamental display and is particularly appealing to those interested i...

Pilosocereus azureus is a columnar cactus species native to Brazil, particularly in the Caatinga and Cerrado ecosystems. It is distinguished by its bright blue, waxy stems and prominent white spines. As a night-blooming species, it produces funnel-shaped flowers that are typically white or cream-col...

Echinocereus pectinatus, commonly known as the Arizona Rainbow Cactus, is a species of hedgehog cactus native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The plant is distinguished by its comb-like, pectinate spines that overlap to form distinct, colorful bands along its cylindrical stems...

Harlequin shrimp, *Hymenocera picta*, are small marine crustaceans native to the Indo-Pacific region. They are distinguished by their striking black and white markings and a unique diet consisting solely of echinoderms like starfish and sea urchins. These shrimp are frequently kept as ornamental aqu...

Lathyrus odoratus, sweet pea, is a climbing annual native to Sicily and southern Italy, developed extensively by British breeders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries into hundreds of fragrant cultivars.

The brain cactus, scientifically known as Mammillaria elongata cristata, is a mutated variant of the Mammillaria elongata cactus native to the rocky environments of central Mexico. It is characterized by a botanical condition called fasciation, causing the stems to grow in a tight, convoluted, and u...

The tiger pistol shrimp, *Alpheus bellulus*, is a marine crustacean belonging to the Alpheidae family. Notably, it exhibits a fascinating symbiotic relationship with goby fish. The shrimp creates and protects burrows while the goby receives shelter and protection. This behavior is observed in Indo-P...

Bloody Mary shrimp are freshwater invertebrates belonging to the Atyidae family, often a morph of Neocaridina davidi. Their striking appearance—characterized by deep translucent red coloration—makes them popular additions to planted aquariums. These shrimp provide visual interest and contribute to t...

The Star Cactus, *Astrophytum asterias*, is a small, globular cactus native to Texas and northeastern Mexico. Its distinctive eight-ribbed star shape makes it an attractive ornamental plant. Due to habitat loss and overcollection, this species is federally endangered in the United States, primarily...

Opuntia santa-rita, commonly known as the Santa Rita prickly pear, is a cactus species native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is distinguished by its flat, rounded, blue-grey pads that turn a prominent purple or magenta hue when exposed to drought, cold, or intense sunlight...

Ipomoea batatas, the sweet potato vine, is grown both as a staple food crop of global importance and as an ornamental foliage plant, with cultivars selected for striking purple, chartreuse, or bronze leaves.

*Ferocactus pilosus*, commonly known as the Mexican lime cactus or viznaga, is a species of barrel cactus native to the arid regions of northeastern and central Mexico. It is widely recognized in cultivation by its cylindrical shape, dense white woolly areoles, and thick, prominent red or reddish-br...

Native to the high-altitude regions of the Andes mountains in Peru, Browningia hertlingiana is a species of columnar cactus. It is characterized by its tall, tree-like growth habit and distinctive powdery blue-green epidermis. The plant develops a candelabra-like branching structure as it matures an...