Cactus is a perennial plant from the Carnation family. It comes from North and South America, from the islands of the West Indies. You can also meet it in Africa, in Madagascar. Some representatives of cacti are distributed throughout the continent, except Antarctica. In Russia, some plant species are common on the coasts of Crimea, the Mediterranean Sea, the south of the Volga region and other places.
Cactus is a unique representative of evergreen plants. There are more than 3,000 plant species. Cacti reach a height of 10 meters and live on average 500 years. It is covered with thorns and thorns up to 12 centimeters long. There is a waxy coating and hairs all over the trunk. The plant has no leaves, and consists of a thick, green stem of various shapes. They can be smooth or ribbed, it all depends on the type of plant. There is only one type of cactus, the Pyrexia, which has leaves similar to those of citrus plants.
The plant grows in the sands of deserts, from rock crevices, under the open scorching sun. Cactus tends to accumulate water in its cells. In deserts, for example, the temperature during the day is very high, but at night it drops to 10 degrees, and this drop causes dew to form. It settles on plants and soil. This amount of moisture is enough for them to survive. Abundantly moist soil is detrimental to the plant, the root system rots, and the cactus begins to wither.
The cactus blooms very rarely, but it is a flower of unusual beauty and aroma. Many plant species produce fruits that are used as livestock feed. Cacti are also used to make hedges. The trunks are used in the construction of dwellings.
In addition to wild cacti, there are cultivated domestic ones. They are grown on windowsills in pots. You can buy soil at the store specifically designed for cactus plants. Minimal care required. They need to sunbathe for at least 4 hours, and the soil should be moderately moist. You need to water it with rain or melt water, you can also pour tap water into a bottle and let it settle for several days. Also, during the summer, the cactus can be planted in open ground.
Almost no one knows that cactus absorbs solar radiation. It is also used in medicine. In the 20th century it was discovered that it contains an antibiotic. With its help, many diseases are cured.
Cactus is an amazing and mysterious flower.
Option 2
Cactus is a perennial flowering plant. The cactus belongs to the carnation family. Cacti are divided into four groups:
- The first group includes the Pereskiev subfamily. This is a type of shrub that has its own leaves and stems. This subfamily of plants is considered a transitional link between cacti and deciduous plants.
- The second group includes the Opuntiaceae subfamily. These plants have leaves, stems, and also thorns - glochidia. This type of spikes is special. These are very small and hard spines, which, when they get into the stomach of an animal that has eaten them, cause a very strong burning sensation and irritation, thereby protecting itself from being eaten.
- The third group includes the subfamily Maukhienivyh. These plants are very similar in appearance to the Opuntiaceae subfamily. The difference is that this subgroup does not have spines - glochidia.
- The fourth group includes a subfamily called Cactaceae. These plants do not have leaves or glochidia. The shape of the plant is usually always a ball or a cylinder. Some species are shaped like flat leaves.
Cacti have very wide uses by people. They are used in food, medicine, as paints, and as a building material. These plants are specially grown as hedges. Cacti are widely used as indoor plants in our apartments and offices.
Cacti are a favorite delicacy in Mexico. They are called dragon fruits. Edible varieties of these plants are grilled with onions and tomatoes, and various salads, desserts, jams and soups are prepared. Strong alcoholic drinks, such as tequila, are made from cacti.
The appearance of cacti is very interesting, so they are widely used as an ornamental plant. Another positive aspect of cacti is that they are very unpretentious in everyday life - they rarely need to be watered. They are resistant to heat and dry air, and are unpretentious in reproduction.
The cactus is especially good when it blooms. The flowers of this plant are white, pink and scarlet. These flowers have a very pleasant aroma, which is why cacti are also used in cosmetology to create perfumes, tonic creams and gels.
Message about Cactus
Cacti evolved from other perennial plant species more than 30 million years ago. The word “cactus” is of ancient Greek origin, but its meaning has not reached our days. Many experts believe that this word was coined by Carl Linnaeus and means a plant with thorns. America is the birthplace of cacti. Now some of their species are distributed throughout the world, not counting Antarctica. They also grow in Russia: on the Black Sea coast and in the south of the Volga region.
There are cacti of all sizes and shapes. They can be spherical, creeping, columnar. The specific structure of the plant helps it escape from drought. The cactus can withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees. They range from two centimeters in diameter to 2-3 tons in weight. Instead of leaves, cacti grow spines. They differ in size and location. Some species have soft spines, while other species have hard ones. They are necessary for the plant to protect itself from animals. Wolves and dogs are especially afraid of them.
Flowers of cacti can be of different colors and shades. This depends on its species, as well as the type of pollination. The main pollinators of cacti are hummingbirds, bees and all kinds of butterflies.
Even before Columbus arrived in America, local residents used cacti for various purposes: they ate them for food, made strong hedges from them, and extracted dyes. And they were even used as medicine and a drug for ritual activities. Some types of cacti are still used for food by Mexicans. They prepare candied pieces from them, which are considered the best delicacy for the local population. In Argentina, drums are still made from cactus trunks. The plant is a good raw material for making soap and shampoos, vitamins and various sweets, as well as alcoholic beverages. Twenty-meter tall Californian cacti called cereus have more than once saved travelers from thirst, as they contain more than 2 tons of drinking water.
Cacti, as an ornamental plant, attracted many Europeans for their unusual appearance. They began to be grown in Europe in the 16th century. Many cactus lovers have collected entire collections. One of these famous collectors was Morgan, a London pharmacist. Large collections were presented in the botanical gardens of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in private greenhouses. In Russia, cacti began to be grown as indoor plants in the 50s of the 20th century.
You can find many popular science publications and dictionaries about cacti, but there is still no complete reference book in Russian.
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Green hedgehogs, which can often be found on the windowsills of flower growers and housewives, bloom in a variety of colors, each with its own character and whimsicality, and that’s all about them. about cacti. Cacti are native to dry deserts and steppes. Botanists count about 3,000 species of this plant. Different types of cacti have unexpected, bizarre shapes: round and ribbed balls, cakes, and columns. All cacti are covered with spines of various colors and sizes.
The most amazing thing about these green creatures is the amazing resilience with which they withstand heat and lack of moisture. They can live for many years even in a sealed flask with moist soil. When these prickly creatures bloom, it is difficult to find more beautiful flowers than their flowers. Some bloom once every five or even more years, some annually, and last for six months.
Echinocactus contains about 80% water in its pulp, which is comparable to watermelon or cucumber. Donkeys learned to extract water from it by knocking down the top layer of the plant along with the thorns with their hooves.
The fruits of some cacti are edible; they are very large, juicy and tasty. The yellow and red fruits look like a pear covered with small thorns. There are cacti that taste like strawberries and are used to make soft drinks. Various delicacies are made from cacti, their fruits are sold in markets, Indian tribes use it as medicine and also as a drug to enter a stupefying state for rituals. Cactus fruits are eaten raw, jams and compotes, unusual-tasting creams and jams are made from them, they are added to wine for color and aroma, and stewed with meat in the form of a stew.
Twenty species of cacti are an excellent antibiotic that can cure some complex diseases. Aphids are bred on cacti, from which food coloring is obtained.
Growing and collecting cacti is a very exciting area of modern floriculture. Collectors understand complex names and sophisticated agricultural techniques. It happens that completely different cacti are called by the same name. There is still no reference book for cactus growers with a description of all types and varieties in Russian. Cactus lovers still use the old German reference book by Kurt Beneberg and Walter Hage, or small reference books with the main species.
Conflicting opinions arise regarding the fact that the cactus protects PC users from harmful radioactive radiation generated by the monitor. Many adherents of a healthy lifestyle place cacti around the apartment to protect against radiation and even carry pocket cacti with them to protect against mobile radiation. The opposite opinion suggests that its imaginary usefulness of protection from radioactive radiation was imposed back in Soviet times. Cacti do grow better in conditions of increased electromagnetic radiation, but the idea that the plant absorbs radiation is highly controversial. However, the spines still serve as an air ionizer, this is a proven fact.
So, nature lovers, a beautiful blooming thorny garden on your window is not only a room decoration, a source of creative work and care, but also a useful plant in all its manifestations.
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The cactus is an unusual plant that differs from others in the absence of leaves and the presence of spines. Photosynthesis occurs with the help of the green pillar of which it is composed. The way this plant does not resemble more than one leafy plant, biologists and sailors who often visited America became interested in it.
The shapes and sizes of cacti are very diverse, they can be both tall and low, both thin and thick, both round and oval. In the wild, cacti are large and branchy, and they grow wildly. But at home, they are small in size and always well-groomed, and usually such plants do not have branches; they can appear in several decades.
The spines of a cactus perform an important function; since this plant has a poorly developed root system, the cactus can only take moisture with the help of the spines. So, the main function of the thorns is to absorb moisture. The spines also perform a protective function; they protect the plant from sunlight and temperature changes, especially when it gets dark and colder.
A small cactus should not feel a lack of water, so you need to look at the soil; if the soil is dry, then it’s time to water it. An adult cactus needs to be watered about four times a month in the summer, but in winter it does not need watering at all, and if watering is necessary, then no more than twice a month.
When watering your plant, you should pay attention to its location; if the pot is on the sunny side, then it needs to be watered often, and if it is in the shade, then it needs to be watered less often.
Regular tap water is not suitable for watering your prickly friend, because it is cold and rich in chlorine, which can have a detrimental effect on the plant. It is recommended to boil 5 liters. water and add 9% vinegar there, this is a good food for cactus.
In the desert, cacti are a real salvation for people, because they quench thirst and hunger, and this plant is also useful for eating. By the way, candied fruits are made from cacti, jam is made, wines, liqueurs and the well-known tequila are made.
Cactus is a unique plant that has won the hearts of not only scientists, but also ordinary people, because this plant is not only beautiful in appearance, it has many benefits and is used in the food industry.
Prickly pear cacti nearly caused an environmental disaster in Australia
In 1787, prickly pears were accidentally introduced to Australia. The best pasture lands were filled with this, one might say, weed; they could not get rid of it for 150 years . It multiplied quickly and became a real environmental disaster. If the cows left it, they then died from thorns that got into their stomachs.
Neither pesticides nor cutting down could cope with this tenacious cactus. But in 1925, the Argentine moth, which feeds on prickly pears, was brought to Australia. This moth ate all the thickets. The Australians, who understood that she had saved them, erected a monument to this butterfly.
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Option 2
Cactus is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Carnationaceae group. Plants evolved about 30 million years ago, at which time they acquired their familiar appearance. The habitat of cacti is the countries of the New World. They are widespread in North and South America, as well as in the West Indies. They are found in Africa, on the island of Madagascar and in Sri Lanka, where they were brought by migratory birds. Since the cactus is a very unpretentious plant, today it can be found on all continents in botanical gardens or in private collections of indoor plant lovers.
In Greek culture, the word “kaktos” denoted plant species unknown to scientists. Later, Carl Lineus began to use this word to classify cacti.
Plants of the cactus family come in different shapes (from spherical to cone-shaped and elongated). They grow in desert areas. The cactus root system consists of two parts: surface roots and roots that go deep into the ground. The climatic conditions of deserts create large temperature differences, due to which moisture falls in the form of dew. Surface roots, whose length reaches 5 meters, collect this moisture, allowing the plant to survive for a long time without watering or rain.
The second type of roots holds massive cacti above the ground. This root has an impressive size, so even during hurricanes the plants do not suffer from gusty winds. However, it does not reach groundwater and therefore mainly serves only as an “anchor”.
The stem of a cactus is capable of absorbing water. It can be ribbed or smooth. Depending on the type of cactus, bristles, spines or leaves are formed on its surface. They are modified bud scales of stem tissues. The large cactus flower has a pleasant aroma. It contains areoles in the form of spines and hairs.
People have been using the fruits and stems of the cactus for food since ancient times. Used as a medicinal product. It also serves as a building material and hedge. Dwarf cactus species are grown in homes as an ornamental plant.
Blossfeldia is the smallest species
The smallest species of cacti grows in South America - Blossfeldia , named after the botanist Harry Blossfeld. It can be found in Bolivia and Southern Argentina, on the slopes of the Andes.
This is a miniature cactus, the diameter of which is 1-3 cm, without tubercles of ribs. It has no thorns and is woolly. The flowers grow on the top of the cactus, last 205 days, they are also small, up to 1 cm in diameter.
Message 3
Planet Earth is known for its diversity of plants, which have their own characteristics and unusual features. One of the most popular and unusual flowering plants is the cactus family. Scientists and botanists are trying to determine the time of formation of cacti, although no fossil remains have been found, but presumably they have been growing on earth 30 million years ago.
The etymology of the word is known only because in ancient Greek it was the name of another plant, which is now unknown to science. Since 1771, cacti began to designate green plants whose surface is covered with spines. Even earlier they were called melocactus, and then this name was simply shortened.
The origin of cacti comes from South and parts of North America. Migratory birds brought cactus seeds to Africa and Asia. Later, people began to spread the plant around the world. Now the cactus tends to grow in any part of the world except Antarctica. Undoubtedly, the cactus prefers warm places, because its homeland is the desert, where there is a minimum of moisture and maximum sun. In Russia, cacti are found in the south, in Crimea and the region of the city of Gelendzhik.
Not all cacti are similar in structure and are closely related. The main cactus family has a special organ - the halo. It resembles a kidney. The fruit and flower of a cactus are part of a stem, which is not typical of other plants. The areoles resemble spines in appearance and the hairs are also called buds, since they collect moisture from the space and are able to retain it inside for a long time in order to preserve life. In this case, the fetus does not have needles.
Report about Cactus
One of the plants that lives in dry places is the cactus. This is a prickly plant belonging to the cactus family. Unpretentious in care, they grow on the sands of deserts, semi-deserts and rocky plateaus. The spines located throughout the plant are modified leaves. They come in various lengths and shapes. With their help, plants manage to remain for a long time without water under the scorching sun. They store moisture and release it for a very long time, since the stomata that were located on the leaves have become smaller due to the change in shape into spines. They also serve to protect against animals.
The stem of a cactus can have different shapes: columnar, spherical, cylindrical and others.
The uses of cacti are quite wide and varied. Some, when flowering, produce edible fruits for humans, and some are used as livestock feed. Large cacti are sometimes used as hedges, and some trunks are used for construction.
For many years, cacti have been used as house plants. After all, they are not fussy to care for. Some cacti sprout flowers of various shapes and colors. Cacti were brought to Europe from America. They attracted people with their unusual appearance. Many people collect entire collections of decorative cacti on their windowsills at home. Entire greenhouses with different types of cacti are being created.
As mentioned earlier, cacti are unpretentious in care. The temperature in which they can live depends entirely on the light. The more light a plant receives, the more heat it needs. This explains the fact that cacti can grow in deserts. Accordingly, if the plant receives little light, then it will require less heat. Therefore, at night, the room temperature should not exceed 18 degrees Celsius. Although cacti are adapted to life in arid places and can remain without moisture for a long time, still, like any living creature, a cactus requires water. From which he will receive all the substances necessary for existence. The amount of water depends on the life activity of the cactus. During the period of activity, the cactus requires a sufficient amount of water so that the substrate under it does not dry out. During dormancy, reduce watering to a minimum. In summer, watering is once every 1-3 weeks. Watering should be carried out after the soil has completely dried. In autumn and winter, water the indoor plant with one tablespoon of water every 8-10 days. Plants can also obtain moisture from the air with the help of spines.
Some species can grow for hundreds of years
Home cacti live from 10 to 50 years, but in nature they can live up to 100 years or longer. Thus, the Stenocereus tubera cactus lives up to 150 years . Its other name is organ pipe. An adult plant grows up to 7-8 m, its period of greatest growth is from April to June. Only when it becomes an adult does the cactus bloom. The fruits taste like watermelon. Considered a rare species.
Another long-lived cactus is Pachycereus Pringle, which does not die until 200 years old. It can grow up to 20 m. In spring it is covered with flowers, with white petals. The cactus blooms for 4-5 weeks. The fruits are reddish and contain narcotic substances.
Message 5 option
Cactus is a plant that lives primarily in tropical climates. It is distinguished by the presence of spines and the absence of leaves. Most cacti are so different from the plants we are used to that sometimes we are even surprised to see something in front of us that looks more like an alien creature. It is worth saying that cacti are in many ways similar to ordinary plants. They have the same organs as everyone else.
There is an opinion that almost all cacti grow in deserts. But this is not entirely true. Cacti grow extremely slowly, and as soon as they appeared on the surface, they would immediately be covered with sand. But deserts are different, with different annual precipitation and temperatures. There is no place on earth where only cacti grow. If we see a cactus somewhere, it means that many other plants can be found nearby. Most cacti grow in semi-deserts, tropics and steppes.
Growing a cactus at home is quite a simple task. If they can grow in the desert, then a flower pot will seem like paradise to them. However, it is worth understanding that the cactus also needs proper care. Yes, cacti can live for a long time without water, especially in winter, but, nevertheless, sometimes it is worth watering them. Cacti should be placed on window sills or on the balcony. Many people place a cactus next to their computer, thinking that this plant will help them get rid of some harmful radiation. But this is not true.
The cactus can also be used for medicinal purposes. Cactus juice has an antibacterial effect and also helps against rheumatism. According to many scientists, cactus can be used to treat headaches, stomach problems, and pieces of cactus can also be applied to a wound for speedy healing. An ordinary plant, but so many benefits! Cacti can be completely different. Their stems can be round, elongated, ribbed, etc. Not all cacti may have spines; there are also absolutely “naked” representatives. If you got a cactus with spines, then you need to be very careful with it. After all, one wrong move, and you already have a thorn sticking out of your finger, which will be very painful to get back.
If the owner of the cactus is lucky, he can observe a beautiful flowering. Flowers can be of completely different sizes, but they will certainly be beautiful and have eye-catching shades. Different cacti bloom at different times. Some can bloom almost every month, while others have to wait for years.
If you are planning to bring a cactus into your home, then you should understand that they rarely get along with other indoor plants. The point here is the conditions of detention. For example, a large number of plants require special humidity, while for a cactus this will only cause harm and suffering.
Also, do not water cacti with regular tap water. Such water is usually hard, which causes a large amount of salts to accumulate at the base of the stems, which harms the plant. In order for the cactus to feel good and please its owner for many years, it should be watered with rain or melt water. You should also use special soil, which can be purchased at garden stores.
Report cactus indoor plant
Cacti are one of the most ancient plants on our planet. They appeared on Earth many, many years ago, when dinosaurs still lived on the planet.
These plants have a trunk of various shapes - there are round ones, similar to hedgehogs. And there are straight ribbed trunks. All cacti have one thing in common: instead of leaves, most of them have spines. The spines can be small and located throughout the trunk of the plant, or they can be sparsely located, but larger in size. Some types of cacti simply have very large spines, which can easily injure a person or animal. The needles of these plants serve for protection from damage by animals and for reproduction: the spines are attached to the fur of animals or clothing of people and are transported over long distances.
People use different types of cacti in different ways. There are cacti - medicinal plants. Large tree-like cacti are used as hedges. Cacti are also used as ornamental plants - indoors, greenhouses, or to create beautiful compositions in flower beds.
Low species of cacti are used as indoor plants. With favorable care, indoor cacti bloom with beautiful delicate flowers. Some types of cacti bloom exclusively in the dark and for only a few hours. Lovers of indoor cacti collect them in collections all over the world, exchange them, and develop new varieties.
In nature, cacti grow only in warm and sunny climates - in America, Africa, and India. Cacti are not afraid of prolonged drought, as these plants can accumulate water in their trunks during the rainy season. In the open air, some species of cacti grow to the size of huge trees or grow in the form of large, spiny pillars.
Cactus is a very beautiful and unusual plant.
About 3,000 species of cacti
Carl Linnaeus was the first to classify the cactus family. But gradually botanists learned about new genera and species of cacti, and new classifications appeared.
Now, according to different classifications, there are different numbers of species - from 1750 to 5 thousand . There are many classification systems, including those from the German botanist Carl Schumann, from the Americans N. Britton and N.J. Rose, from the Austrian F. Buxbaum, from the German Kurt Backeberg. It is the latter that enjoys special trust.
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