A Cactus is a Succulent? What?!

A cactus is a succulent! POOF! Is your mind blown? In other words, all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. I was in my 50’s before I knew that. Hopefully, after a quick read, you will have more insight and more interest in a previously intimidating plant.

The name cactus is Latin-derived from an ancient Greek for spikey plant. Pretty obvious on that part, right? The cactus genus is in the Cactaceae family.

There are around 2000 cactus (cactus is more than 1 cacti) Cactus are Xerophytes, this means they are plants specializing in adapting to survive in an environment with little or no water such as a desert or an ice or snow covered region.

Cactus are native to the America’s except for Rhipselis Baccifera varieties which grow in Africa and Sri Lanka.

The cactus lifespan ranges from 10 to 200 years. Scientists have even discovered fossils of cacti dating back 50 million years ago,

Cacti size also has a wide range from the smallest being called Blossfeldia Lilliputian- which only 12 mm in diameter, which is roughly the size of a penny. The tallest recorded cacti are Saguaro’s which can be over 70 feet tall.

Due to harsh weather a cacti’s tap root will go deep and grow strong to seek out lower underground water sources.  The same plant will also produce shallow roots to quickly soak up rain that may fall.

The spines in the cacti are produced from specialized structures called areoles, a kind of highly reduced branch. Bottom line if a succulent has areloes then it is called a cactus. Areoles can best be described as small fuzzy bumps all over the cactus surface.

Barrel cactus spines

One of the main reason many people do not like cacti is the spines. Yes, there is a purpose to the spines beside to painfully annoy you. One way is the spines trap air, it reduces air flow around the cactus to reduce evaporation. The spines also trap fog or dew by using special grooves in the spines. The spines also help the plant by offering shade. Probably the largest benefit is protection from predators that would view a cacti that had water inside it an attractive meal.

Glochids are the hair like spines or short prickles that are generally barbed on the areoles of cacti. Those are the ones you didn’t know you had in your finger until later. Larger cactus needles like the Tephrocactus Aorcanthus variety are 8 inches long. Those needles you see coming and cause damage.

Cacti produce flowers that are incredible ranging in size from a dime to a dinner plate, Some cactus flowers last for weeks other for mere hours.

Some cacti like the fruit of the Optunia species are edible as well as the paddles called nopales.

Do not be intimidated by spikes, spines or prickles of cactus. They are easy to grow and are fascinating plants with incredible flowers and shapes.

Dry scape with cactus

#cactus #succulent