Cactus - Biology Of Cacti, Species Of Cacti In North America, Economic Importance Of Cacti
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The cactus family or Cactaceae is made up of about 2,000 species of perennial plants with succulent stems, most of which are well-armed with sharp spines. The natural distribution of most cacti is American, ranging from southern British Columbia and southern Ontario in Canada, through much of the United States, to the tip of southern South America. One genus, Rhipsalis, occurs in Africa, Madagascar, and India, and is probably native there. Cacti usually inhabit deserts and other dry, open places. The major use of cacti by humans is as attractive, ornamental plants in gardens, or as indoor house plants. A few species produce edible fruits, and one yields peyote, a hallucinogenic drug.
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Cacti are perennial plants. Their stems are fleshy or succulent, and are cylindrical or flattened in shape. The stems are green-colored, and are photosynthetic, usually performing this function instead of leaves, which are greatly reduced in abundance or even absent in most mature cacti. Most species of cactus are well-protected by sharp bristles and spines, which serve to deter most herbivores. T…
Species of cacti are prominent in many arid and semiarid habitats in the Americas. Cacti provide important elements of the habitat for many species of animals, especially larger species such as saguaro and candelabra cacti. One of the most familiar groups of cacti are the prickly-pears, beaver-tails, or chollas (Opuntia spp.), of which there are about 300 species. These species have flattened, suc…
Many species of cacti are highly prized by horticulturalists as botanical oddities and ornamental plants. These may be cultivated for their beautiful flowers, the aesthetics of their stems and spines, or merely because the plants have a strange-looking appearance. In addition, many people like to grow cacti because they are relatively easy to maintain—it does not matter much if you forget t…
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