Cactus is the one of the strangest plants of the desert. Despite the armored, prickly look of many cactus plants, there are multiple varieties that bloom with colorful, delicate flowers. Blooming cactus varieties produce flowers of varying shapes, sizes and colors. The time of year, or day, in which they bloom also varies. There are over 2,000 different species of cacti, many of which are native to North and South America.