Cacti have crucial ecological functions to fulfill. For desert-dwelling species like deer, quail, wild turkey, pack rats, gophers, rabbits, and tortoises, they serve as a source of food and water (Patriquin 2007, Taylor 1998). Many animals eat its fruit, and woodpeckers build their nests in their stems. The nectar from the saguaro’s blossoms is consumed by hummingbirds, bats, bees, moths, and other insects. Without cacti blooms as a source of food, hummingbirds would find it challenging to migrate over the southwest desert between their winter and summer ranges.
Only moths can reach the nectar from some cactus blooms, which grow in long tubes up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) in length, pollinating the flowers as a result. Additionally, there are specializations for specific bee species, hummingbird species, and bat species.
The seeds are largely dispersed by goats, birds, ants, mice, and bats.
Why are cacti so significant?
Any member of the flowering plant family Cactaceae that is native to North and South America and is characterized by reduced-sized or ephemeral leaves, enlarged plant stems, and spines that develop from areoles—a structure specific to cacti—is referred to as a cactus (plural cacti, cactuses, or cactus). With 2,000 to 3,000 species, cacti are distinctive and odd plants. Most have numerous unique adaptations to survive and grow in hot, dry circumstances because they reside in desert or semi-arid habitats.
Many desert species depend on cacti as a source of food and water, and they play a significant part in the ecology of the desert. Since the beginning of time, some cactus species have been used by humans for food and medicine among other things. They are also widely used as indoor and outdoor plants. Some species have become endangered due to human activity, while others have caused issues when they were introduced to regions where they are not native.
Cacti aid the environment in what ways?
In hot regions, cacti frequently serve as “nurse plants,” providing shade and occasionally nutrients that aid in the establishment of seedlings of other species that might not be able to do so in hot or poor soil.
How do cacti benefit people?
In addition to their medical use, cacti are known for their nutritional worth. Both cactus pads and cactus fruit have anti-infective properties that can assist with everything from hangovers to high cholesterol problems.
The following are a few of the cactus’ health advantages:
The cactus fruit and pad are both rich in fiber, which can reduce blood cholesterol levels. According to a study, eating cactus can lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and body fat. Your chance of developing conditions including stroke, coronary heart disease, and peripheral vascular illnesses can be lowered by include cactus fruits in your diet.
Iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and more are all found in cacti. This extensive spectrum of nutrients and others can aid in lowering inflammatory levels in the body. According to research, taking cactus extract after consuming five to seven alcoholic beverages helped reduce the severity of hangover symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, or dry mouth). The body’s inflammation, which is frequently related to alcohol consumption, was also decreased by the cactus extract.
A number of diseases, including diabetes, a stroke, and heart disease, can all be indicated by high blood sugar levels in the body. A Mexican study compared the diets of those who regularly ate cactus pads to those who didn’t, and it found that those who did had significantly lower blood sugar levels than those who didn’t. According to the study, eating cactus may be a cheap approach for those with diabetes to lower their blood sugar levels.
Particularly cactus fruits are a great source of vitamin C, one of the finest immune enhancers. White blood cell production is boosted by regular vitamin C intake, which can lower your risk of infection and help your body fight off viruses if you become infected.
What feature of a cactus is most significant?
Every plant has leaves, which are crucial to its ability to produce the food needed for growth and life. If you’ve ever been in close proximity to a cactus plant, you might be curious about how it manages to survive without leaves.
A cactus plant contains spines rather than leaves as a strategy for the plant to survive. There are several different types of spines, including:
- Awl-like
- Straight
- Curved
- Needle-like
- like a bristle
- Hair-like
- Round
- Hooked
The cactus plant prefers the spiky protrusions over leaves for several very significant reasons. The following functions of spines in a cactus plant are listed.
Protection
Numerous herbivores in the desert rely on various desert plants for food, and cacti are no exception. The plant’s mushy appearance is bound to draw various creatures, which is where the spines come into play.
Poachers pose a harm to flora in addition to animals. Cactus trade on the illegal market is lucrative and results in the eradication of the plants. If the cactus is repeatedly destroyed, it can go extinct.
The plant uses its spines as a form of protection. Upon close contact, the needles thoroughly pierce the flesh. Any animal can only imagine how excruciatingly painful a spine puncture is.
After being punctured, the spines are difficult to remove from the skin and could result in subsequent infections. Some spines have the potential to inflict several wounds at once.
Water collection
This is how spines assist in water collection in misty deserts. The fog becomes the water that eventually trickles down onto the earth below as it touches the spines. The plant then stores this water in its roots for later use.
Air trapping
Spines help break up the passage of air around a cactus plant, which can cause water loss. The plants would otherwise lose a lot of water due to excessive water evaporation in the absence of the buffer that the spines provide.
Shade
The spines collectively offer shade in the desert’s sweltering heat. The absence of shade would prevent the plants from surviving because the desert heat would quickly dry out all of their moisture.
Propagation
The growth of new plants in the same species depends on propagation. Strong desert winds frequently move the spines that penetrate animals or are blown around by those spines. After that, the spines develop into cacti plants, ensuring that the plants live on after the older ones pass away from aging.
Can cactus clean the air?
The peruvian cactus species, Cereus peruvianus, is the one that is typically utilized to absorb this kind of radiation, but it should be noted that not all research have found the same results.
Cacti, on the other hand, are plants that can detoxify interior environments, which are typically full of unseen chemical compounds that most plants can absorb.
The Christmas cactus, also known as the Schlumbergera, lends a special hand in our decorating, especially when its priceless blooms burst into bloom. It will work wonders if we put it in a chemically-contaminated space, but we should keep in mind that it requires more frequent watering than a typical cactus does. It will be enough to watch out for the earth and keep it from drying out.
In particular, it will assist us in removing pollutants like formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds present in agglomerates, plywood, paint, varnish, glue, cosmetics, and tobacco smoke from settings.
In conclusion, cacti are a green investment because of their resilience and minimal water needs. It will be sufficient to water them once a month, and it is essential to let plenty of natural light enter them. The truth is that the bigger they are, the more resilient they are; nevertheless, if we take good care of the young ones, they will also live a long time, and if we give them adequate soil and fertilizer, they will also become bigger.
Cacti and other species mixed together is another fascinating idea. The miniature date palm, fountain palm, ivy, tape, and ficus are some of the most decontaminating plants.
All plants have the ability to purify the air, however some are more efficient than others. It depends on their capacity to metabolically decompose the airborne poisons into organic materials that they can consume.
We shall thus obtain a more or less healthy environment as a result of its more or lesser absorption. Because of this, choose the proper plants is crucial if we want to purify the air.
When it comes to decorating and creating a cleaner atmosphere that meets our needs, the secret is to choose a variety of plants that combine a lot of traits. Let’s not squander time thoroughly recording the types of pollution we have at home and the animals that could perform the task more effectively.
Why is cactus good for you?
It has a lot of antioxidants. Antioxidants can shield our cells from the harm that free radicals can do. Because of its abundance of antioxidants, nopal cactus has been shown in a 2013 study to be able to lessen oxidative stress. Everyone can benefit from antioxidants, regardless of age or underlying medical issues.
Is cactus healthy for the skin?
What image does the word “cactus” conjure up for you? It is a stony, arid plant. Right? What if I, however, told you that this prickly plant could be a useful addition to your skincare regimen? Many of us are unaware of the numerous advantages the cactus plant provides for our appearance. Similar to the aloe vera plant, cacti have a pulpy, gel-like substance that is good for your skin. Let me quickly go over the incredible advantages of applying cactus on your skin.
- Antioxidants found in cacti are vital for healthy skin. These antioxidants defend against free radical damage to your skin. Vitamin K, which nourishes your skin, is also found in cacti. Including it in your skincare routine also aids in the treatment of premature aging. It lessens the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines, two indications of aging.
- Additionally, this herb is renowned for treating skin issues like pigmentation and sunburn. Cactus has qualities that might help lighten skin.
- Because cactus contains a lot of water, it is excellent for your skin. Your skin will stay hydrated and moisturized if you use cactus on it.
- Additionally useful for treating skin issues including irritation and redness, the plant.
- Vitamin E and fatty acids found in cactus give your skin an incredible glow.
- Cactus gel will give you shining, immaculate skin. It contains vitamin E, which promotes the creation of new cells and illuminates your skin.
Cactus Fact #1: The Thorns are Actually Spines
What we typically think of as thorns on cacti are actually spines, which are actual plant parts, specifically leaves. That’s how it used to be, at least. Spines have grown from this during the course of evolution, ensuring the cacti’s survival even in the harshest environments.
Phytochemically, “spines are distinct from “thorns: spines are modified leaves, and thorns are modified branches, according to Wikipedia.
Cactus Fact #2: The Spines are Weapons, Sun Protection, Drinking Straw and Coat
Cacti would literally be discovered as food for animals in their arid surroundings. This is avoided by their spines. They are capable of much more, such as shielding the plant from sunburn by reflecting sunlight. However, during chilly nights, they keep out the cold. The cactus can absorb the water that forms when mist clouds condense on their spines. Additionally, they become entangled in the fur of nearby animals. They split out in other places, where a new cactus can emerge. Consequently, they assist in the spread as well.
Cactus Fact #4: You Can Eat Them
The orange-red fruits of the prickly pear, which belong to the genus Opuntia, are available in every delicatessen. However, the plant’s green sections are also edible. They become a sour, flavorful vegetable when steamed or fried. The world’s oldest cactus farm, which has been around in Erfurt since 1685, demonstrates what may be created from the prickly plants and served as food.
Cactus Fact #5: One Can Get Intoxicated with Them
Three thousand years ago, the Native Americans learned that some cactus species were intoxicating. They chewed on plant fragments because they thought it would bring them closer to the gods. The peyote cactus, which contains mescaline, is unquestionably the most well-known. In 1888, Louis Lewin was the first to approach this phenomenon scientifically. He was able to extract “anhalonin” after looking at the peyote cactus. Arthur Heffter succeeded in isolating pure mescaline in 1896. In 1919, Ernst Spth completed the first total synthesis. He thereby established the framework for the drug’s synthetic manufacture. The UN Convention has deemed it unlawful everywhere since 1971. Possession of mescaline carries a maximum five-year jail sentence in the USA.
Cactus Fact #6: You Can’t Drink It
Adventure writers are responsible for the notion that a cactus can relieve a desert traveler’s thirst. When you cut open a cactus, all you find is a thick gel that is poisonous. It is equally impossible to remove water from it on-site as it is to do so with shower gel.
Cactus Fact #7: You Can Make Furniture Out of Them
Over time, the cacti’s woody parts can develop. Particularly column cacti produce enormous woody pieces. The benefits of this cactus wood are numerous: It grew quite straight and is free of knotholes. Its fiber structure, which is broken up by cavities, makes it both flexible and incredibly stable. This wood has only so far been used to make furniture in Latin America. You can get creatures like birds and reptiles toys in this nation.
How versatile is a cactus?
By now, it should be clear that the cactus plant uses a variety of unique strategies to thrive in the desert. For instance, the cactus’ waxy coating aids in retaining water.
Compared to the water you often see, the water inside cactus plants is far thicker. Despite not tasting particularly good, it is safe for people to drink. In reality, people passing through the desert have been saved by drinking cactus water!
Many cactus have spines that are toxic in addition to being sharp and pointy. Ouch!
Cactus plants can live anywhere between fifteen and three hundred years.
When the fruit is mature and ready to be eaten, several species of cacti produce red or yellow hues. The cacti’s own pads or stems are also consumed by people.
A salad or soup can be made with cacti, or they can be fried or cooked. Cactus can be purchased as food in some nations, such as Mexico, at the grocery store. Cactus: Would you eat one?
Bees, butterflies, moths, and even bats frequently pollinate the flowers of cactus plants.
So certainly, the cactus plant is spiky, desert-dwelling, and green most of the time. But it’s also a truly remarkable plant with a variety of unique strategies for surviving in the desert.
Additionally, it is a helpful plant that produces fruit, can be utilized to create many goods, and contains drinkable water that has helped people!