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What are cactus and where can you find them?
Numerous kinds of blooming plants with succulent (water-storing) stems belong to the family Cactaceae. Cacti are unique among all other plants due to the existence of an organ called the areole. Flowers, new branches, and spines emerge from areoles. Spines come in a variety of shapes and sizes; some are delicate and feathery to shield the plant from harsh sunlight, while others are strong and spiky to provide protection. The spines on cacti restrict animals from getting to their water supply, even though they may be one of the few sources of water in arid areas. Cacti have a waxy covering called a cuticle that serves as a barrier against water loss. They also use stomata, which open at night instead of during the day like other plants do, to conserve water. The plant’s stomata are tiny pores that allow carbon dioxide to enter for photosynthesis.
The size of cacti varies according on the species. Blossfeldia liliputana, a South American plant with a mature diameter of less than an inch (2.5 centimeters), may be the smallest cacti species. The Mexican enormous cardon, which is almost 60 feet tall, is the tallest cactus (18 meters).
The majority of cacti genera originated in the Americas and can be found from Canada to Chile. They are now widespread around the world, particularly in Australia, South Africa, and nations in the Mediterranean.
Some people mistakenly believe that cacti are only found in the desert, yet many species, like the prickly pear cactus, may be found in a variety of settings.
Cacti are seed-producing blooming plants. They are able to bloom every year, but when it rains a lot, they will produce a lot of flowers. Different flowers have different looks and smells to draw different pollinators, like insects and bats. Cacti grow slowly and have a long lifespan. Saguaro cacti, for instance, can survive for up to 175 years. Between the ages of 75 and 100, they do not develop their first arms.
Populations of cacti are generally stable. However, some species are diminishing as a result of being taken out of the wild and planted on xeriscaped lawns as decorative plants (landscaped areas that require little or no irrigation).
Most cacti have root systems that stretch out near the ground to absorb as much precipitation as they can. Some species can survive several years of drought because they are adept at storing water.
Where can you find cacti in India?
Hint: Cactus grows in hot, dry places with little rainfall and desert soil. They can store water inside their leaves, which have evolved into thorns to stop transpiration.
Complete response: Cactus are one of the few plants that can withstand arid, hot climates. Additionally, spines protect them from predators. Their extensive roots can access the water below the earth. They are crucial for those living in dry climates because they stop soil erosion. Humans are also able to swallow some cactus pieces. Since the stem is the sole component of them that contains chlorophyll, it has stomata. Additionally, it contains numerous vitamins and antioxidants that guard your skin from sun damage and delay the signs of aging. At night, cacti absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. The Thar Desert and Great Indian Desert are other names for the Indian desert. Due to its harsh environment and sparse flora, the desert proper is known as Marusthali (dead land). In general, the Marushthali is rocky in the east while having shifting sand dunes in the west.
Cactus are primarily found in Gujarat and Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, two dry regions of India.
The stomata of cacti only open at night. Ants are hired by cactus as more Bodyguards. Its surface is waxy. Cacti have a long lifespan. Spines help stop up the passage of air around the cactus plant since air flow can cause water loss. The roots of a cactus may rot if you overwater it.