Cactus

The Cactus They are succulent plants that since the human being discovered them has been very attracted to them. Little by little we have discovered that they have very interesting uses, both ornamental and medicinal, but ... Do we really know what they are and what their characteristics are?

2500 species are known distributed in 200 genera, all of them originally from America. But they didn't really start their evolution there, but in Africa. Of course, about 80 million years ago the two continents were united. Little by little, and due to the movement of the tectonic plates (in this case, the American and the African), the first one was separating and getting closer and closer to the equator. This turned what was once a rainforest into more of a savanna or arid desert.

A lot of people don't know, which is completely logical considering where they live now, but in the past they had leaves. We know that it was so because the Pereskia are the most primitive of all: they have leaves and thorns, but they also have areoles which is a common characteristic in this type of plant. Although of course, to keep the leaves healthy it is necessary to have water and in a dry region there is not much to say. Thus, the vast majority of cacti had to be replaced by leaf spines.

These spines are very special, since they do not need as much liquid supply, and also as they are usually inclined, protect the bodies of cacti from the intense sun and if it was not enough, they make every tiny drop of water that falls on them be directed towards the pores of the plants. Once there, they can absorb it without problems. But yes, although it may not seem like it, there are also species that do not have spines or that have them so short that they are barely seen.

Knowing what there are is something that every cactus should do if they want to expand their collection, because each and every one is unique. Some have a globular shape, others columnar, others are epiphytes or hanging ... There are many that have very long spines, others that have very beautiful colors. Likewise, we cannot forget about the magnificent cacti flowers: they remain open for a very short time, but they are some of the most beautiful in the plant kingdom. Perhaps for this reason they are one of the most successful types of plants in the world.

So if you want to know how many more species the better, if you want to know all the secrets of cacti, and the specific care that each one of them need, do not hesitate to visit this section. I cannot promise that I will tell you about the 2500 species that exist in the world, but what I do tell you is that I will try. In any case, I'm sure that you will get to know the ones you are going to have a fantastic collection with.

And it is that when the 'cactus virus' catches you, it no longer lets go. You can go through periods when you are not as excited about them as before, but in the end you always worship them again.

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