The Flower Of The Desert - The Cactus Tree
The Flower Of The Desert - The Cactus Tree
The cactus tree is the pride of the desert of North America. With beautiful blooms that are as varied as they are lovely, these wonderfully hardy plants thrive in the harshest of conditions without even a hint of declining in popularity. From the saguaro to the Joshua tree, these cacti varieties are the largest of all cacti. Their size, however, is nowhere near as impressive as the methods the cactus tree has come to use throughout the history of the world to survive in conditions which make even the heartiest human cringe.
Through Freezing Cold & Blistering Heat
The cactus tree has the amazing ability to survive through some of the harshest weather conditions known to mankind. The heat of the desert during the day can reach temperatures in excess of one hundred and twenty five degrees in the shade. At nights, the temperature can drop well below zero during the coldest months. And yet, through it all, the cactus tree survives.
The cactus tree survives the summer heat through the use of its shallow root system. The roots of the cactus tree never bury themselves very far below the ground. This allows them to immediately absorb the small amounts of rain that fall sporadically. Folds in the trunk of the cacti also absorbs water, and the spines draw rain into the upper parts of the trunk.
The most amazing thing about the cactus tree, is that it not only manages to survive in extreme heat; but that it also can survive in extreme cold as well. The cactus tree goes dormant in the winter, and survives by concentrating the water stored in its trunk into a gel-like substance that acts as a type of anti-freeze. The gel substance is similar to the gel found in the leaves of the aloe plant, and provides insulation against the harsh cold.
Some varieties of the cactus tree are only able to survive extreme cold if it is dry cold. A cactus of one of these varieties has no protection against winter rain and snow, and will quickly deteriorate in wet weather. Another type of cactus which is a perfect example of this is the holiday, Christmas cactus variety. These cacti only bloom during the winter months when the weather is cold; but expose them to snow or rain, and their skin will quickly deteriorate and their roots rot.
There can be no doubt that the cactus tree is one of the most amazing plants on earth. In sun, rain, heat, and cold, they offer a beauty that is unmatched by any other plant species.