CACTUS

Cactuses or Cacti, are called succulent plants. They have many shapes and are found around the world. There are about 2.000 different kinds of cactuses. Cacti are flowering plants. In the cactus, most of the leaves have disappeared so that the plant may hold its moisture better. Cactus stems make the food for the plant. These stems can store water. Most cactus plants are protected by sharp bristles and spines. The spines of the cactus help protect it against animals that live in the desert. These spines stop animals from eating it. Cactus spines grow from parts of the plant called areoles, which look like tiny cushions. The areoles are arranged in patterns over the surface of the plants. The new branches and beautiful flowers of the cactus grow, like spines, from the areoles of the plant. The roots of the cactus plant are covered with cork like bark and lie close to the surface. They spread far out so they can catch the water from light rains and quick floods that may take place in desert areas. A cactus plant only 1 metre may have roots over 3 metres long. Cactus plants have spines in place of leaves. The spines keep the plant safe. Spines can be short, long, soft or sharp. They can be straight or hooked and they sometimes grow in rows or patterns. Some cactuses have ribs. The ribs give shade to part of the plant. All cactuses make flowers. Flowers can be white, or they can be a bright colour such as yellow, orange, red or purple. The flowers only last a few days. Cactuses differ greatly in shape and size. Some are low, weak bushes. Others grow like vines with roots exposed to the air. Some are straight or bushy, while others grow as large as trees. The **Saguaro** or **giant cactus** is the largest cactus in the United States. It grows in forests or scattered groups. Indians in Arizona (USA) use the dried woody ribs of the saguaro stems for fuel and for making frames for their houses. The fruits of the cactus ripen in June and July. The Indians eat these fruits fresh or preserve them. Most cactuses grow in hot, dry places. They are well suited to places with little rainfall. They are common in Mexico and in the south west of the United States. These fleshy leafed or leafless plants are well adapted to storing moisture to survive long periods of drought, The waxy surface of their ‘leaves’ keeps the loss of moisture to a minimum. Cactuses grow in sandy, rocky soil. They have very long roots. The roots drink up rain water. All cactus plants, or cacti, need good drainage. They need lots of light, though not direct sunlight. They need free movement of air. They also need water. The best way to grow cacti is from a seed.  Flowers, fruit and seeds help the cactus to multiply. Only one or two seeds will live to make a new cactus. Some cactuses have stems that break. The stem falls to the ground. The stem grows in the soil and start a new plant. Most cactuses grow very slowly. They can live 50 to 200 years. The cactus flowers produce seed-bearing fruit. Many cactus species are pollinated by bats. The delicate flowers usually bloom for a short period of time in Spring. Cactuses are important to animals and people. Small animals, insects and birds eat their stems and flowers. Birds and animals hide and live in cactus plants. People eat cactus fruit. People grow and sell cactus plants. It is illegal in some places to dig up cactus plants. Some cactuses, like ‘saguaro,’ are in danger and protected by the National Parks.
 * // [[image:cactus.jpg width="109" height="67" align="left"]]Cactus //** [[image:cactus7.jpg width="134" height="91" align="right"]]
 * //What Type of Plant Is It? //**
 * // What Does It Look Like? (Appearance) [[image:cactus1.jpg width="137" height="98" align="right"]] //**
 * Appearance(what they look like) **
 * Leaves **
 * Flowers [[image:cactus2.jpg align="right"]] **
 * Kinds of cactuses **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">The Prickly Pear **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;"> has thorny, leaf-like stems. This cactus grows in dry or rocky ground in many parts of North America. The plant bears pear-shaped fruit that is good to eat.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">The Organ-Pipe cactus **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;"> has stems that resemble the pipes of an organ. It may grow over 7 metres high. Some people enclose their property with rows of these cactuses.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">The Old Man cactus **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;"> has a shaggy coat of white hair that shields it from the sun. This thornless cactus is a popular house plant.
 * // Where Is It Found? (Environment) //**
 * // What Are The Lifecycle and Needs of the Plant? //**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">Needs of cactus **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">Life cycle **
 * // What Are the Uses? //****// (What do people and animals use it for?) //**