Hyderabad: Foreign cacti collection on show

Hyderabad: Snugly located alongside the Hussainsagar, Cactus Garden is home to around 100 species of cacti from different parts of the country and also a few Mexican and African varieties. While the park is popular with citizens of the city who reside in the vicinity, those living in other parts of the city are not aware of this unique garden.

The foreign species are Malagasy Moringa, Leuchtenbergia principis (prism cactus), Hildebrandt’s Moringa from Madagascar, Enchinocatus Gursonii (Golden barell cactus) from Mexico, which are not to be found anywhere else in the city.

T. Jagdish, a regular visitor to the park and an environmental enthusiast, said, “These cactus plants are very unique and I come here every weekend with my family. These trees provide habitats for small insects who come here to hide.”

Cactus Park is located in Sanjeevaiah Park, which is spread over a sprawling 92 acres. The park is maintained by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), and also has a Rose Garden, a Maze Garden, and a Yoga Garden.