Cacti
Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus) growing south of Saltillo, Coahuila, northeast Mexico
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Caryophyllales Family: Cactaceae Juss.
Subfamilies
Cactoideae Maihuenioideae Opuntioideae Pereskioideae See also taxonomy of the Cactaceae

A cactus (plural: cacti, the word derives from Greek, thus the Latin plural "cacti" is etymologically inappropriate, though it is frequently used nonetheless as is otherwise singular "cactus") is any member of the succulent plant family Cactaceae, native to the Americas. Ferocactus is a genus of large barrel-shaped cacti mostly with large spines and small flowers Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of Mexico 's 31 component states. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Dicotyledons, or "dicots", is a name for a group of Flowering plants whose Seed typically has two embryonic leaves or Cotyledons There Caryophyllales is an order of Flowering plants that includes the cacti, carnations Amaranths Ice plants and most Antoine Laurent de Jussieu ( April 12, 1748 - September 17, 1836) was a French Botanist, notable as the first to propose In Biological classification, family ( Latin A cactus (plural cacti) is any member of the Spine plant family Cactaceae, native to the Americas Maihuenia is a Genus of Cactus ( family Cactaceae) and the sole genus of the Subfamily Maihuenioideae, which Opuntia is a Genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. Currently only prickly pears (also known as Nopal or Pereskia is a Genus of about 25 Tropical Species and varieties of cacti that do not look much like other types of Here is the full Taxonomy of the family Cactaceae. Subfamily Cactoideae Tribe Browningieae Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are Water -retaining Plants adapted to Arid climate or Soil conditions They are often used as ornamental plants, but some are also crop plants. Ornamental plants are typically grown in the flower Garden or as House plants Most commonly they are grown for the display of their Flowers Other common

Cacti are distinctive and unusual plants, which are adapted to extremely arid and hot environments, showing a wide range of anatomical and physiological features which conserve water. Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. In general terms the Climate of a local or region is said to be arid when it is characterized by a severe lack of available Water, to the extent of hindering See also Natural environment The '''biophysical''' environment is the symbiosis between the physical environment and the Biological Anatomy (from the Greek anatomia, from ana separate apart from and temnein, to cut up cut open is a branch of Biology that is the consideration Physiology (from Greek grc φύσις physis, "nature origin" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the mechanical physical Their stems have expanded into green succulent structures containing the chlorophyll necessary for life and growth, while the leaves have become the spines for which cacti are so well known. Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are Water -retaining Plants adapted to Arid climate or Soil conditions Chlorophyll is a green Pigment found in most Plants Algae and Cyanobacteria.

Cacti come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The tallest is Pachycereus pringlei, with a maximum recorded height of 19. Pachycereus pringlei ( Cardón) is a species of Cactus, native to northwestern Mexico in the states of Baja California, Baja 2 m,^[1] and the smallest is Blossfeldia liliputiana, only about 1 cm diameter at maturity. Blossfeldia liliputana is a species of Cactus native to South America in northwestern Argentina ( Jujuy, Salta, and ^[2] Cactus flowers are large, and like the spines and branches arise from areoles. A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also Areoles are the distinctive feature of cacti, and identify them as a separate family from other Succulent plants Areoles give rise to spines or on certain Many cactus species are night blooming, as they are pollinated by nocturnal insects or small animals, principally moths and bats. Pollination in angiosperms and Gymnosperms is the process that transfers pollen grains, which contain the male Gametes (sperm to where the female As an Animal behavior, nocturnality describes sleeping during the Daytime and being active at Night - the opposite of the diurnal Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described A moth is an Insect closely related to the Butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Cactuses' sizes range from small and round to pole-like and tall.

Description

Closeup image of a cactus flower (Echinopsis spachiana) showing large number of stamens. Echinopsis spachiana is a species of Cactus native to South America.

The cacti are succulent plants that grow either as trees, shrubs or in the form of ground cover. Most species grow on the ground, but there is also a whole range of epiphytic species. An epiphyte is an organism that grows upon or attaches to a living plant In most species, except for the sub-family of the Pereskioideae (see image), the leaves are greatly or entirely reduced. Pereskia is a Genus of about 25 Tropical Species and varieties of cacti that do not look much like other types of The flowers, mostly radially symmetrical and hermaphrodite, bloom either by day or by night, depending on species. Their shape varies from tube-like through bell-like to wheel-shaped, and their size from 0. 2 to 15-30 meters. Most of them have numerous sepals (from 5 to 50 or more), and change form from outside to inside, from bracts to petals. A sepal (from Latin separatus "separate" + petalum "petal" is a part of the flower of Angiosperms or flower plants In Botany, a bract is a modified or specialized Leaf. Bracts are ordinarily associated with reproductive structures (subtending Flowers Inflorescence A petal (from Ancient Greek petalon "leaf" "thin plate" regarded as a highly modified leaf is one member or part of the corolla They have stamens in great numbers (from 50 to 1,500, rarely fewer). The stamen ( Plural stamina or stamens, from Latin stamen meaning "thread of the warp " is the male Nearly all species of cacti have a bitter sometimes milky sap contained within them. The berry-like fruits may contain few, but mostly many (3,000), seeds, which can be between 0. 4 and 12 mm long. ^[3]

The life of a cactus is seldom longer than 300 years, and there are cacti which live only 25 years (although these flower as early as their second year). The Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) grows to a height of up to 15 meters (the record is 17 meters 67cm), but in its first ten years it grows only 10 centimeters. The Saguaro, pronounced "sah-wah-roh" ( Carnegiea gigantea) is a large tree-sized Cactus Species in the Monotypic genus The "mother-in-law's cushion" (Echinocactus grusonii) reaches a height of 2. Echinocactus grusonii is a well known species of Cactus native to central Mexico from San Luis Potosi to Hidalgo. 5 meters and a diameter of 1 meter and - at least on the Canaries - is already capable of flowering after 6 years. The Canary Islands ( English pronunciation kəˈnæriː ˈaɪləndz Spanish: Islas Canarias, ˈizlas kaˈnarjas are a Spanish The diameter of cactus flowers ranges from 5 to 30 cm; the colors are often conspicuous and spectacular.

Distribution

Cacti are almost exclusively New World plants. A cactus (plural cacti) is any member of the Spine plant family Cactaceae, native to the Americas The New World is one of the names used for the non-Eurasian/non-African parts of the Earth specifically the Americas and Australia. This means that they are native only in North America, South America, and the West Indies. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting There is however one exception, Rhipsalis baccifera; this species has a pantropical distribution, occurring in the Old World tropical Africa, Madagascar and Sri Lanka as well as in tropical America. Rhipsalis baccifera or Mistletoe cactus is an Epiphytic Cactus which originates from Central and Southern America, In biology pantropical is one in a group of different terms which can be used to define an area of geographical occurrence of an organism or group of organisms The Old World consists of those parts of Earth known to Europeans Asians and Africans in the 15th century Madagascar, or Republic of Madagascar (older name Malagasy Republic) is an Island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island This plant is thought to be a relatively recent colonist in the Old World (within the last few thousand years), probably carried as seeds in the digestive tracts of migratory birds. The Old World consists of those parts of Earth known to Europeans Asians and Africans in the 15th century A seed (in some plants referred to as a kernel) is a small embryonic Plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat usually with some stored Bird migration refers to the regular seasonal journeys undertaken by many species of Birds Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. Many other cacti have become naturalized to similar environments in other parts of the world after being introduced by people. The Tehuacán Valley of Mexico has one of the richest occurrences of cacti in the world. The Tehuacán Valley matorral is a xeric shrubland Ecoregion in Mexico. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. ^[4]

Cacti are believed to have evolved in the last 30 to 40 million years. Long ago, the Americas were joined to the other continents, but separated due to continental drift. Pangaea, Pangæa or Pangea (pænˈdʒiːə from παν pan, meaning entire, and Γαῖα Gaea, meaning Earth in Continental drift is the movement of the Earth 's Continents relative to each other Unique species in the New World must have developed after the continents had moved apart. Significant distance between the continents was only achieved in around the last 50 million years. This may explain why cacti are so rare in Africa as the continents had already separated when cacti evolved. Many succulent plants in both the Old and New World bear a striking resemblance to cacti, and are often called "cactus" in common usage. Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are Water -retaining Plants adapted to Arid climate or Soil conditions This is, however, due to parallel evolution; none of these are closely related to the Cactaceae. Parallel evolution is the independent evolution of similar traits starting from a similar ancestral condition due to similar environments or other evolutionary pressures

Prickly pears (genus Opuntia) were imported into Australia in the 19th century to be used as a natural agricultural fence and to establish a cochineal dye industry, but quickly became a widespread weed. Opuntia is a Genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. Currently only prickly pears (also known as Nopal or Opuntia is a Genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. Currently only prickly pears (also known as Nopal or For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Cochineal is the name of both Crimson or Carmine Dye and the cochineal insect ( Dactylopius coccus) a scale WEED (1390 AM) is a Radio station broadcasting a Spanish format This invasive species is inedible for local herbivores and has rendered 40,000 km² of farming land unproductive. Introduced species|Weed Invasive species is a phrase with several definitions Herbivory is a form of Predation in which an Organism, known as a herbivore, consumes principally Autotrophs ref name=Campbell>Campbell

Adaptations to dry environment

Some environments, such as deserts, semi-deserts and dry steppes, receive little water in the form of precipitation. In Meteorology, precipitation (also known as one class of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric Plants that inhabit these dry areas are known as xerophytes, and many of them are succulents, with thick or reduced, "succulent", leaves. A xerophyte or xerophytic organism ( xero meaning dry phyte meaning plant is a Plant which is able to survive in an ecosystem with little available Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are Water -retaining Plants adapted to Arid climate or Soil conditions In Botany, a leaf is an above-ground Plant organ specialized for Photosynthesis. Apart a few exceptions (for example, the genus "Rhodocactus") all cacti are succulent plants, although not all succulent plants are cactuses. Pereskia is a Genus of about 25 Tropical Species and varieties of cacti that do not look much like other types of Like other succulents, these cactuses have a range of specific adaptations that enable them to survive in these environments. Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are Water -retaining Plants adapted to Arid climate or Soil conditions

Pereskia grandifolia: Pereskia is a weakly succulent genus, which also possesses leaves, and is believed to be very similar to the ancestor of all cactuses. Pereskia is a Genus of about 25 Tropical Species and varieties of cacti that do not look much like other types of

Barrel Cactus growing on a cliff in the Mojave Desert. A Barrel Cactus is a type of Cactus characterized by being approximately barrel -shaped For the indigenous American tribe see Mohave. The Mojave Desert (moʊˈhɑːvi or /məˈhɑːvi/ ( Hayikwiir Mat'aar in Mojave These cactus can reach up to six feet tall in some cases.

Cacti have never lost their leaves completely; they have only reduced the size so that they reduce the surface area through which water can be lost by transpiration. In some species the leaves are still remarkably large and ordinary while in other species they have become microscopic but they still contain the stomata, xylem and phloem. In Botany, a stoma (also stomate; plural stomata) is a tiny opening or pore found mostly on the underside of a Plant Leaf In Vascular plants xylem is one of the two types of transport tissue Phloem being the other In Vascular plants phloem is the living tissue that carries organic Nutrients (known as photosynthate particularly Sucrose, a sugar to Certain cactus species have also developed ephemeral leaves, which are leaves that last for a short period of time when the stem is still in its early stages of development. A good example of a species that has ephemeral leaves is the Opuntia ficus-indica, better known as the prickly pear. Opuntia ficus-indica ( Indian Fig Opuntia) is a species of Cactus and a long-domesticated crop plant important in agricultural economies throughout Cacti have also developed spines which allow less water to evaporate through transpiration by shading the plant, and defend the cactus against water-seeking animals. In biology spine or spiny may refer to Spine (botany, needle-like structures in plants Spine (zoology, needle-like structures Transpiration is the Evaporation of water from the aerial parts of Plants especially leaves but also stems Flowers and Roots The spines grow from specialized structures called areoles. Areoles are the distinctive feature of cacti, and identify them as a separate family from other Succulent plants Areoles give rise to spines or on certain Very few members of the family have leaves, and when present these are usually rudimentary and soon fall off; they are typically awl-shaped and only 1-3 mm. long. Two genera, Pereskia and Pereskiopsis, do however retain large, non-succulent leaves 5-25 cm. Pereskia is a Genus of about 25 Tropical Species and varieties of cacti that do not look much like other types of Pereskiopsis (from Greek -opsis, "looking" because of its resemblance with the genus Pereskia) is a Genus long, and also non-succulent stems. Pereskia has now been determined to be the ancestral genus from which all other cactuses evolved. ^[5]

Many species of cactus have long, sharp spines. Spines are leaves that have been modified into cylindrical hard structures with sharp ends

Enlarged stems carry out photosynthesis and store water. A stem is one of two main structural axes of a Vascular plant. Photosynthesis is a Metabolic pathway that converts Light Energy into Chemical energy. Unlike many other succulents, the stem is the only part of a true cactus where this takes place. Much like many other plants that have waxy coatings on their leaves, Cacti often have a waxy coating on their stems to prevent water loss. Wax has traditionally referred to a substance that is secreted by Bees ( Beeswax) and used by them in constructing their This works by preventing water from spreading on the surface and allowing water to trickle down the stem to be absorbed by the roots and used for photosynthesis. Cacti have a thick, hard-walled, succulent stem - when it rains, water is stored in the stem. The stems are photosynthetic, green, and fleshy. The inside of the stem is either spongy or hollow (depending on the cactus). A thick, waxy coating keeps the water inside the cactus from evaporating.

The bodies of many cacti have become thickened during the course of evolution, and form water-retentive tissue and in many cases assume the optimal shape of the sphere (combining highest possible volume with lowest possible surface area). By reducing its surface area, the body of the plant is also protected against excessive sunlight.

Saguaro cactus in Arizona, USA. The Saguaro, pronounced "sah-wah-roh" ( Carnegiea gigantea) is a large tree-sized Cactus Species in the Monotypic genus The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. This species is well known from Western films. The Western is a fiction Genre seen in Film, Television, Radio, Literature, Painting and other Visual arts.

Most cactuses have a short growing season and long dormancy. In Agriculture, the growing season is the period of each Year when crops can be grown For example, a fully-grown Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) can absorb up to 3,000 litres of water in ten days. The Saguaro, pronounced "sah-wah-roh" ( Carnegiea gigantea) is a large tree-sized Cactus Species in the Monotypic genus This is helped by cactuses' ability to form new roots quickly. Only two hours after rain following a relatively long drought the formation of new roots begins. Apart from a few exceptions an extensively ramified root system is formed, which spreads out immediately beneath the surface. The salt concentration in the root cells is relatively high, so that when moisture is encountered, water can immediately be absorbed in the greatest possible quantity.

But the plant body itself is also capable of absorbing moisture (through the epidermis and the thorns), which for plants that are exposed to moisture almost entirely, or indeed in some cases solely, in the form of fog, is of the greatest importance for sustaining life.

Most cacti have very shallow roots that can spread out widely close to the surface of the ground to collect water, an adaptation to infrequent rains; in one examination, a young Saguaro only 12 cm. The Saguaro, pronounced "sah-wah-roh" ( Carnegiea gigantea) is a large tree-sized Cactus Species in the Monotypic genus tall had a root system covering an area 2 meters in diameter, but with no roots more than 10 cm. deep. ^[6] The larger columnar cactuses also develop a taproot, primarily for anchoring but also to reach deeper water supplies and mineral nutrients. A Plant 's taproot is a straight tapering Root that grows vertically down ^[6]

One feature distinguishes the cacti from all other plants: cacti possess areoles, as they are known. Areoles are the distinctive feature of cacti, and identify them as a separate family from other Succulent plants Areoles give rise to spines or on certain The areole appears like a cushion with a diameter of up to 15 mm. and is formed by two opposing buds in the angles of a leaf. From the upper bud develops either a blossom or a side shoot, from the lower bud develop thorns. The two buds of the areoles can lie very close together, but they can also sometimes be separated by several centimeters.

Like other succulents in the families of the Crassulaceae, Agavaceae (agaves), Euphorbiaceae (euphorbias), Liliaceae (lilies), Orchidaceae (orchids) and Vitaceae (vines), cacti reduce water loss through transpiration by Crassulacean acid metabolism. The Crassulaceae, or orpine family, is a family of Dicotyledons They store water in their Succulent leaves Agavaceae is a family of Plants that includes many well-known Desert and dry zone types such as the Agave, Yucca, and Joshua The Spurge family ( Euphorbiaceae) is a large family of Flowering plants with 300 genera and around 7500 species The Liliaceae, or the lily family, is a family of Monocotyledons in the order Liliales. Vitaceae are a family of Dicotyledonous Flowering plants including the Grape and Virginia creeper. Crassulacean acid metabolism, also known as CAM photosynthesis, is an elaborate Carbon fixation pathway in some Plants These plants fix carbon dioxide ^[6] Here, transpiration does not take place during the day at the same time as photosynthesis, but at night. Photosynthesis is a Metabolic pathway that converts Light Energy into Chemical energy. The plant stores the carbon dioxide chemically linked to malic acid until the daytime. Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single Malic acid is an Organic compound with the formula HO2CCH2CHOHCO2H During the day the stomata are closed and the plant releases the stored CO₂ and uses it for photosynthesis. In Botany, a stoma (also stomate; plural stomata) is a tiny opening or pore found mostly on the underside of a Plant Leaf Because transpiration takes place during the cool humid night hours, water loss through transpiration is significantly reduced.

Reproductive ecology

Blooming Echinopsis. For the Sea urchin genus see Echinopsis (echinoderm, The Mite genus formerly known as Echinopsis is now Apocaligonellidus The sweet-smelling flower opens towards evening and dies the following morning.

Some cactus flowers form long tubes (up to 30 centimetres) so that only moths can reach the nectar and thus pollinate the blossoms. There are also specialisations for bats, humming birds and particular species of bees. Hummingbirds are Birds in the family Trochilidae, and are endemic to the Americas. Bees are flying Insects closely related to Wasps and Ants Bees are a Monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea The duration of flowering is very variable. Many flowers, for example those of Selenicereus grandiflorus (Queen of the Night) are only fully open for two hours at night. Selenicereus grandiflorus is a Cactus Species originating from the Antilles, Mexico and Central America. Other cactuses flower for a whole week. Most cactuses are self-incompatible, and thus require a pollinator. Self-incompatibility ( SI) is a general name for several genetic mechanisms in Angiosperms, which prevent Self-fertilization and thus encourage Outcrossing A few are autogamous and are able to pollinate themselves. Reproduction is the Biological process by which new individual Organisms are produced Fraileas only opens their flowers completely in exceptional circumstances; they mostly pollinate themselves or others with their flowers closed ("cleistogamy"). Frailea is a Genus of globular to short cylindrical cacti native to Brazil. The flower itself has also undergone a further development: the ovary tends to become a completely protected area, protected by thorns, hairs and scales. In the Flowering plants an ovary is a part of the female reproductive organ of the flower or Gynoecium. Seed formation is very prolific, and the fruits are mostly fleshy, pleasant tasting and conspicuously coloured. Goats, birds, ants, mice and bats contribute significantly to the spreading of the seeds.

Because of the plants' high water-retention ability, detached parts of the plant can survive for long periods and are able to grow new roots anywhere on the plant body.

History

Carl Spitzweg: The Cactus Lover, c. Carl Spitzweg ( February 5, 1808 - September 23, 1885) was a German romanticist painter and Poet 1856

Moche Cactus. 200 B. C. Larco Museum Collection Lima, Peru. The Larco Museum (Museo Larco is located in the Pueblo Libre District in Lima, Peru.

Among the remains of the Aztec civilization, cactuses can be found repeatedly in pictorial representations, sculpture and drawings, principally Echinocactus grusonii. Aztec is a term used to refer to certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who achieved political Echinocactus grusonii is a well known species of Cactus native to central Mexico from San Luis Potosi to Hidalgo. This cactus, also known as "Mother-in-law's Cushion," has great ritual significance - human sacrifices were carried out on these cactuses. Tenochtitlan (the earlier name of Mexico City) means "place of the sacred cactus. There are some towns in Mexico which are spelled "Tenochtitlán" like San Lorenzo Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico " The coat of arms of Mexico to this day shows an eagle, snake, and cactus. The Coat of Arms of Mexico has been an important symbol of Mexican politics and culture for centuries

Economic exploitation of the cactus can also be traced back to the Aztecs. The North American Indians exploit the alkaloid content of many cactuses for ritual purposes. For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States. This article is about the chemical compounds alkaloids For the Pharmaceutical company in the Republic of Macedonia see Alkaloid (company. Today, besides their use as foodstuffs (jam, fruit, vegetables), their principal use is as a host for the cochineal insect, from which a red dye (carmine) is obtained which is used in Campari or high-quality lipsticks. Cochineal is the name of both Crimson or Carmine Dye and the cochineal insect ( Dactylopius coccus) a scale Campari is an alcoholic (alcohol 205% 41 proof Aperitif obtained from the infusion of sixty ingredients combined and macerated in a blend of distilled water Lipstick is a cosmetic product containing pigments oils waxes and emollients that applies color and texture to the lips. Particularly in South America dead pillar cactuses yield valuable wood for construction. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Some cactuses are also of pharmaceutical significance.

From the moment of their discovery by early European explorers, cactuses have aroused much interest: Christopher Columbus brought the first melocactuses to Europe. Christopher Columbus (1451 &ndash May 20 1506 was an Italian Navigator, colonizer Melocactus ( Melon cactus) is Genus of Cactus with about 40 Species. Scientific interest in them began in the 17th century. By 1737, twenty-four species were known, which Linnaeus grouped together as the genus "Cactus". Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for With the passage of time cactuses enjoyed increasing popularity: sometimes they were of scientific interest only; at other times as fashionable plants they enjoyed a real boom.

From the beginning of the 20th century interest in cactuses has increased steadily, interrupted only by the two world wars. This was accompanied by a rising commercial interest, the negative consequences of which culminated in raids on the cactuses' native habitats, resulting in the extermination of many species. Through the great number of cactus admirers, whether their interest is scientific or hobby-oriented, new species and varieties are even today discovered every year.

All cactuses are covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and many species by virtue of their inclusion in Appendix 1 are fully protected. CITES (the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments drafted

Some countries have a rather contradictory attitude to species protection. In Mexico for example to be caught in the act of digging up cactuses carries a prison sentence, but cactus habitats are destroyed for the construction of new roads and electricity lines. To be borne in mind here is that some cactus habitats have a total area of no more than 1,000 square meters. If this habitat is destroyed, either by construction or by plundering, the species growing there is lost for posterity if it is endemic (ie, growing in that one spot and nowhere else).

The Moche people of ancient Peru worshiped agriculture and often depicted the cactus in their art. The Moche civilization (alternately the Mochica culture Early Chimu Pre-Chimu Proto-Chimu etc Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. ^[7]

Uses

Cactuses, cultivated by people worldwide, are a familiar sight as potted plants, houseplants or in ornamental gardens in warmer climates. They often form part of xeriphytic (dry) gardens in arid regions, or raised rockeries. Xeriscaping refers to landscaping in ways that do not require supplemental Irrigation. Some countries, such as Australia, have water restrictions in many cities, so drought-resistant plants are increasing in popularity. Numerous species have entered widespread cultivation, including members of Echinopsis, Mammillaria and Cereus among others. For the Sea urchin genus see Echinopsis (echinoderm, The Mite genus formerly known as Echinopsis is now Apocaligonellidus The Genus Mammillaria is one of the largest in the cactus family ( Cactaceae) with currently 171 known Species and varieties Cereus is a Genus of Cactus. The circumscription of this genus has always been in flux and depends on the authority Some, such as the Golden Barrel Cactus, Echinocactus grusonii, are prominent in garden design. Echinocactus grusonii is a well known species of Cactus native to central Mexico from San Luis Potosi to Hidalgo. Cactuses are commonly used for fencing material where there is a lack of either natural resources or financial means to construct a permanent fence. This is often seen in arid and warm climates, such as the Masai Mara in Kenya. In general terms the Climate of a local or region is said to be arid when it is characterized by a severe lack of available Water, to the extent of hindering The Masai Mara (also spelled Maasai Mara) is a large Park reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti This is known as a cactus fence. A cactus fence is a hedge or Fence made of closely-spaced Cactus plants sometimes with Barbed wire or wood interwoven with the cacti Cactuses fences are often used by homeowners and landscape architects for home security purposes. A landscape architect is a person involved in the planning design and sometimes oversight of an exterior landscape or space Physical security describes measures that prevent or deter Attackers from accessing a facility resource or information stored on physical media The sharp thorns of the cactus deter unauthorized persons from entering private properties, and may prevent break-ins if planted under windows and near drainpipes. The aesthetic characteristics of some species, in conjunction with their home security qualities, makes them a considerable alternative to artificial fences and walls. A fence is a freestanding structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary A wall is a usually solid structure that defines and sometimes protects an area ^[8]

As well as garden plants, many cactuses have important commercial uses; some cactuses bear edible fruit, such as the prickly pear and Hylocereus, which produces Dragon fruit or Pitaya. The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. Opuntia is a Genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. Currently only prickly pears (also known as Nopal or Hylocereus is a Genus of cacti, often referred to as Nightblooming cactus (though the term is also used for the genus Selenicereus A pitaya ( or pitahaya ( is the Fruit of several Cactus Species, most importantly of the Genus Hylocereus A pitaya ( or pitahaya ( is the Fruit of several Cactus Species, most importantly of the Genus Hylocereus Opuntia are also used as host plants for cochineal bugs in the cochineal dye industry in Central America. Opuntia is a Genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. Currently only prickly pears (also known as Nopal or Cochineal is the name of both Crimson or Carmine Dye and the cochineal insect ( Dactylopius coccus) a scale

The Peyote, Lophophora williamsii, is a well-known psychoactive agent used by Native Americans in the Southwest of the United States of America. Lophophora williamsii (loʊˈfɒfərə wɪlˈjæmsiaɪ lō-fof′ŏ-ră will-yăm′sē-ī better known by its common name Peyote, (from the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Some species of Echinopsis (previously Trichocereus) also have psychoactive properties. For the Sea urchin genus see Echinopsis (echinoderm, The Mite genus formerly known as Echinopsis is now Apocaligonellidus For the Sea urchin genus see Echinopsis (echinoderm, The Mite genus formerly known as Echinopsis is now Apocaligonellidus For example, the San Pedro cactus, a common specimen found in many garden centers, is known to contain mescaline.

Etymology

Prickly Pear is among the most common cactuses found in North America. Opuntia is a Genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. Currently only prickly pears (also known as Nopal or

The word cactus is ultimately derived from Greek Κακτος kaktos, used in classical Greek for a species of spiny thistle, possibly the cardoon, and used as a generic name, Cactus, by Linnaeus in 1753 (now rejected in favor of Mammillaria). The Ancient Greek language is the historical stage in the development of the Hellenic language family spanning the Archaic (c This article is about the plant for other uses see Thistle (disambiguation. The cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus) also called the artichoke thistle, cardone, cardoni, carduni or cardi, is a Thistle Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for The Genus Mammillaria is one of the largest in the cactus family ( Cactaceae) with currently 171 known Species and varieties There is some dispute as to the proper plural form of the word; as a Greek loan into English, the correct plural in English would be "cactoi" or "cactuses". However, as a word in Botanical Latin (as distinct from Classical Latin), "cactus" would follow standard Latin rules for pluralization and become "cacti", which has become the prevalent usage in English. Classical Latin is the form of the Latin language used by the ancient Romans in what is usually regarded as "classical" Latin literature. Regardless, cactus is popularly used as both singular and plural, and is cited as both singular and plural by the Random House Unabridged Dictionary (2006).

References

• Anderson, E. F. (2001). The Cactus Family. Timber Press ISBN 0-88192-498-9 - Comprehensive and lavishly illustrated.
• Benson, L. (1981). The Cacti of Arizona. University of Arizona Press ISBN 0-8165-0509-8 - Thorough treatment of the Arizona, U. S. A. , species
• Kiesling, R. , Mauseth, J. D. , & Ostolaza, C. N. (2002). A Cactus Odyssey. Timber Press ISBN 0-88192-526-8

See also

• Cactus and Succulent Society of America
• Desert Garden Conservatory at The Huntington

External links

• Cacti & Succulent Picture Gallery
• Cacti Picture Gallery
• CactiGuide - many photos, and discussion forum
• A Guide to the Miraculous Cactus World
• Intermountain Cactus: Winter Hardy Cactus
• SucculentCity - Plant profiles and photographs