What You Need To Know About The Different Types Of Cactus Species
What You Need To Know About The Different Types Of Cactus Species
When it comes to different types of plants, the cactus family is one of the most easily recognizable. This succulent plant family usually grows in hot and humid surroundings. The deserts in the Americas are filled with these types of plants. If you happen to travel in Arizona or Mexico, you can easily spot different cactus species across the expanse of the desert. These cactus species differ in shapes and sizes but they all have the characteristic stems and spines that made the cactus plant very popular. Furthermore, all cactus species has an amazing ability to conserve water; it can live as long as 300 years even the most arid and hot environment.
Uses Of Different Cacti
All through the years, the uses of the different cactus species evolved. In the olden days, the some species of cactus plants served as food for people who are living in the deserts of America. People who wander into the desert and get lost often rely on the cactus for something to eat, because the watery and fleshy stems of some cactus species are edible. However, with the improvements in the means of transportation and the increasing availability of food supply coming from other parts of the country, the need to feed on the cactus has become almost non-existent save in cases of emergency.
In our modern times, the use of the different cactus species expanded. Since certain cactus species are small enough to fit inside houses and apartments, the cactus has found its way into many American homes and offices. In fact, many interior decorators in the country now use different cactus species in their designs which made some species of cactus quite expensive these days. A lot of plant nurseries that are selling exotic cactus species are earning quite well from these plants.
Another notable uses of the cactus is in the field of medicine, because some species of cactus contains important chemical components that can be used to treat different types of illnesses, such as the prickly pear cactus. The prickly pear cactus (also known as nopal) has been used as a source of medicine for some time. This type of cactus which originated from the Latin American regions is said to reduce blood glucose levels in human beings. Currently, many pharmaceutical companies are using this type of cactus as a source of ingredients for drugs used to treat patients with diabetes mellitus.