Interesting Facts about Cactus
Hello everyone welcomes to my blog.tonight I will provide an important information about plants that can adapt to heat and desert areas with very minimal rainfall.you know what is that plant ?exactly the name cactus
there are interesting things that we all do not know of cactus plants, Here will be presented various facts and interesting information about cactus:
Cactus is included in the Cactaceae family which has more than 2000 varieties with different colors and shapes.
Cactus is known as succulent plants because its body parts such as stems, roots, and leaves are able to store water to survive under conditions of drought.
The cactus body part has a thick fleshy spongy tissue that can hold water obtained during rain.
The cactus rod is also coated with a waxy substance that can prevent water evaporation.
- Cactus is known to have a thorn that is none other than its leaves. Cactus leaves grow from a special structure called areole.
The size of the spines varies from species to species and can reach a length of 15 cm. The small shape and size of the leaves will prevent excess water evaporation.
Some cactus spines are even light-colored that help them reflect sunlight so the plants stay cool.
Another function of the thorns is to protect themselves from birds and animals that want to get water from cactus.
- Cactus has a complicated root system that allows them to absorb water from the soil. Surprisingly, even small cactus plants have large roots.
The roots of this plant is not too deep menghujam with often not more than 10 cm embedded below the soil surface.
However, cactus roots often spread around until it covers a diameter of 2 meters.
Root function is to hold the plants as well as to obtain water and minerals maximally.
- Cactus flowers are large and have various colors such as red, yellow, pink, etc.
Some cactus flowers can bloom for several days, while others die within a day. Some flowers only bloom at night and others bloom during the day.
Flowers that bloom at night will mainly be pollinated by bats as well as insects and other nocturnal animals.
- Cactus age varies from 25 years to 300 years. A unique characteristic is that this plant has a period of growing and resting.
During the growing phase, the cactus requires direct sunlight, high temperature, moisture, and water.
While in the resting phase, they do not need too much water.
- The highest cactus plant is Pachycereus pringlei which can reach a height of 20 m; while the shortest is Blossfeldia liliputiana with a height of only a few centimeters.
Some cactus plants are round and look like casks; while others are flat or oval, or look like earlobes.
Other unique shapes are chandeliers, circular snakes, sea stars, or human face wrinkles.
- One of the most impressive features of cactus is that this plant is able to function as a natural water reservoir.
The liquid stored in the cactus body is not like water, but it looks like a viscous fluid that is safe for human consumption.