What To Look For In Cactus Identification
What To Look For In Cactus Identification
Cacti are succulents that often store water or liquid in them in order to survive the heat of their chosen region. Cacti are plants that usually have spines on them, and because of this distinctive feature, many people assume that all plants with spines on them are cacti. This is far from the truth since many other plants are succulent and have spines on them.
Is This A Cactus?
Here are some ways to tell if the plant you are looking at is a cactus or not. Cactus identification is a great help for those who are still studying cacti. Cacti usually have areoles from which flowers, spines and branches sprout from. This is their most distinctive feature which differentiates them from other plants.
Spines are another feature that most cacti have which can help in proper cactus identification. Do not mistake these spines for thorns because these are not the same. Spines in cacti vary from each other in the color, shape, appearance and size.
The flowers of cacti are singular in the aspect that they are very striking and very unique from other plants' flowers. The downfall of this knowledge in proper cactus identification is that the only way you can differentiate cacti from other plants which are similar is when they are flowering.
Cacti seldom have leaves, but those which have leaves have unique leaves. This is one sure way of proper cactus identification which can be used to differentiate between cacti and other similar plants.
Some plants that people might mistake as cacti are the aloe, agave, euphorbia, lithops and echeveria. These plants have similarities to a cactus which can sometimes confuse people. The Euphorbia is the one single plant that has inspired a lot of debate from people who are not familiar with it, because it definitely has the looks of a cactus. The differences between a cactus and the Euphorbia are in the fluid inside them and the origin of the spines or thorns.
Lithops may also confuse the beholder because they are highly similar to cacti but they are just succulents, not cacti. Their appearance may be similar but this is where the similarity ends. The right cactus identification will help you know the difference between the two plants.
It pays to know the way of proper cactus identification especially if you plan to have further studies regarding cacti or any other botanical field. Cactus identification can be achieved by being more observant and meticulous in studying plants.