The Cactus Classification In Science
The Cactus Classification In Science
In science, there are classifications of living things to help us categorize them and to help us understand how they are categorized. The more commonly used classification of living things is the Linnaean System of Classification. There is also specific cactus classification that can enable us to differentiate among the many cacti.
How Scientific Classes Works
Cactus classification begins with what in which kingdom the cactus belongs to. There are five kingdoms in which the different living things can be classified under. These are the Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Cactus classification brings it under the kingdom Plantae.
After kingdom, cactus classification brings us to phylum level of classification. This classification is based on the basic body plan of the living thing. Cactus classification brings the plant under the phylum Tracheophyta or vascular plants. Another specification in cactus classification is the division where the cactus falls under the division, Magnoliophyta and Anthophyta. This means that they are flowering plants that produce a seed covered by a fruit or an ovary.
Another division of cactus classification is the class. This division is based on the living thing's reproductive system, skeletal system and their environmental adaptation. The cacti belong to the Class Dicotyledonae and Magnoliopsida. This means that they are dicots which have seeds that have two embryonic leaves.
Cactus classification brings us to the order in which the cactus belongs to. It belongs to Caryophyllales and under the family of cactaceae or cacti. From there, the classification further brings us to the genus of the species which contains around one hundred different genera and around 1,000 up to 2,000 species which are yet again classified into three tribes.
The Three Tribes of Cacti
The three tribes belonging to the cactus species are Pereskieae, Opunitieae and Cactoidea. Most cacti belong to the last tribe of cacti whereas the Prickly Pear cactus, among others, belongs to the tribe Opuniteae. They usually have fleshy branches and have areoles that usually have fine hairs. Their leaves are usually flat and roundish, with straight spines and bears seedy fruits.
The Preskieae tribe has characteristics that are woody stems and semi-deciduous leaves. Their areoles will have leaf axils which are spiny and wooly while their fruits are fleshy and their leaves are pendulous.
These cactus classifications cover all of the cacti in the kingdom. With the aid of the classifications, categorizing cacti is easier and clearer to people since it specifically points out the characteristics of the different classes and tribes of cacti.