Cactus is a multicellular photosynthetic eukaryotic organism categorized as a succulent.A succulent is a plant with thick, juicy stems or leaves that hold water. Cactus roots, leaves, and stems have specialized structures that allow them to thrive in deserts.A cactus is a type of plant that thrives in hot, arid environments. Xerophytes are plants that live in this type of environment and the majority of these plants are succulents that store water. Spines, shallow roots, deep-layer stomata, thick and extensible stem, waxy skin, and a short growing cacti season are among the features of cacti. Cacti have specialized structures called areoles that serve as means for self-defense by giving rise to spines.Cacti are members of the Cactaceae family and belong to the Caryophyllales order.Cacti of all kinds are thought to be among the greatest plants for minimizing the number of bacteria and radiation in their environment. You should acquire a cactus if you want to increase the quality of your air. A cactus will take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere after dark and then release oxygen.Cactus roots may grow 3 ft (0.9 m) deep, 3 ft (0.9 m) wide, and 3 ft (0.9 m) long, as well as horizontally. Cacti are succulent plants that can withstand the desert’s harsh and unforgiving climate.A cactus’ spines serve to defend it from humans and animals. When it rains, its roots reach out to gather water, which it stores in its stem for later use.Many succulents of the Euphorbia genus are known to be harmful to cats and dogs, including the pencil cactus and crown of thorns.Continue reading to learn more information about cacti and different cacti species. After this, you may also look at other fun fact articles like are bananas becoming extinct and are diamonds made from coal.Why are there no cacti in Africa?Despite the abundance of indigenous succulents in South Africa, there is just one indigenous cactus plant, Rhipsalis baccifera. It lacks true spikes and instead has clusters of innocuous fuzzy spines. It looks a little like mistletoe with its delicious white (occasionally pink or red) berries, earning it the common name mistletoe cactus.Except for the Rhipsalis baccifera, which grows in Africa’s sub-tropical regions, no cacti are native to Egypt. This cactus species can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Central America.Are cacti only native to America?Cacti can be found native to the Americas, from Southern California to British Columbia and Alberta southward; their southernmost range extends into Chile and Argentina. Mexico boasts the most species and the widest variety. Members of the genus Rhipsalis, which can be found in East Africa, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka, are the only cacti that may be native to the Old World. Although a few cacti exist in tropical or subtropical climates, the majority dwell in dry climates and are well adapted to them.The majority of cacti species in North and South America grow in hot, dry climates. This desert cactus plant can be found in Mexico, Canada, and various sections of the Southwest United States in North America. They are typically found in Brazil in South America.Barrel cactus is the name for a collection of cacti endemic to North and South America that are more or less barrel-shaped. Ferocactus and Echinocactus, two large-stemmed North American genera, are the most commonly used names.What is the flower on a cactus called?The cactus family (Cactaceae) produces flowers with a large number of stamens in the center. These cacti, which belong to the botanical genus Opuntia, have brilliant yellow flowers, while some species have white, pink, orange, or red flowers.Pink heads come with the grafted moon cactus, which is botanically known as Gymnocalycium cacti. This species is available in 80 different varieties and is becoming more popular in home collections.Prickly pear cactus is a purple cactus, which is among the most attractive cactus species. Prickly pears have purple or reddish-pink pads and bear cactus fruits that are edible.The fishhook cactus gets its name from the curvature of its sharp spines, which bend back at the end like a fishhook instead of coming to a straight point. These cactus flowers come in a variety of colors, including deep reds and creamy pinks, and some even have striated petals.Long segmented branches end in beautiful blooms on the Christmas cactus. The petals cascade down, piling on top of one another to resemble two flowers stacked on top of one another. The flowers, which come in a variety of colors from pink to red, are also notable for their neon pink stigma.The Queen of the Night is an epiphyte, which means it grows on top of other plants and gets its nutrients from the air, and conserves water. The Queen of the Night flowers are both gorgeous and fragrant, but they only bloom for one night in the summer. The Queen of the Night, like most night-blooming flowers, avoids strong colors in favor of a creamy white.The rose cactus is known for producing a large number of flowers at the same time, grouped at the ends of branches. The pastel pink to the white gradient that leads to a yellow center is reminiscent of a real rose bloom. The cactus’ fleshy and modified leaves, interestingly, are edible and can be cooked or eaten raw in salads.How long can a cactus live?Depending on the cacti plants, cactus lifespans can range from 10-200 years. Cacti that are grown outdoors in perfect conditions survive longer than those that are grown as houseplants. Several indoor cactuses, on the other hand, can live for decades with proper care.Cacti live for up to 10 years inside. The problem with older ones is that every knock, scratch, or flaw lingers with them, making them appear less desirable as they age.The Saguaro cactus, which belongs to the family Carnegiea and the species Gigantea, is thought to be the world’s oldest cactus species. The saguaro cactus is endemic to both Mexico and the Arizona desert, and it can live in the wild for up to 200 years.Cacti in the desert may go for up to two years without water. This is due to its thick woody stems, which conserve water and have a protective covering that keeps water from escaping during the growing season.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are there cacti in Africa, then why not take a look at American Civil War facts, or birds that sing.
Cactus is a multicellular photosynthetic eukaryotic organism categorized as a succulent.
