১০টিঅদ্ভুতওবৈচিত্র্যময়মরুউদ্ভ | 10 strange desert plants with unknown knowledge |
১০টিঅদ্ভুতওবৈচিত্র্যমিঅদ্ভুতওবৈচিত্র্যমিঅদ্ভুতওবৈচিত্র্যমিঅদরুউদ্ভ, there are about 127 species of cactus in the family of cacti, and there are more than 10 species of exotic or exotic desert plants. The word “cactus” is derived from the ancient Greek κάκτος, kaktos, through Latin. The name was originally used by Theophrastus to refer to a prickly plant whose identity is currently uncertain. Cacti come in many shapes and sizes. Most cacti live in habitats that have suffered at least some drought. Many people live in extremely dry environments, even in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth. Cactus exhibits many adaptability for water conservation. Almost all cacti are succulents, which means that their fleshy parts are thickened and suitable for storing water. Unlike many other succulents, the stem is the only part of most cacti where this important process occurs. Most types of cacti have lost their true leaves and only retain thorns, which are highly modified leaves. In addition to defending against herbivores, thorns also help prevent water loss by reducing airflow around the cactus and providing some shade. In the absence of leaves, the enlarged stem undergoes photosynthesis. Cactus is native to the Americas, ranging from Patagonia in the south to parts of western Canada in the north-in addition to Rhipsalis baccifera, it also grows in Africa and Sri Lanka. Cactus spines are produced by special structures called areoles, which are branches with reduced height. Areola is an identifying feature of cactus. Like spines, the areola produces flowers, which are usually tubular and multi-petaled. Many cacti have a short growing season, a long dormant period, and are able to respond quickly to any rainfall, thanks to the extensive but relatively shallow root system, which can quickly absorb any water that reaches the surface. Cactus stems usually have ribs or grooves, which make them easy to expand and contract after rain to quickly absorb water, followed by a long dry period. Like other succulents, most cacti use a special mechanism called “Crassula Acid Metabolism” (CAM) as part of their photosynthesis. The transpiration of carbon dioxide entering plants and expelling water does not occur at the same time as photosynthesis during the day, but at night. Plants store the carbon dioxide it absorbs as malic acid, keeping it until the daylight returns, and then using it for photosynthesis. Since transpiration occurs during the cooler and humid night, water loss is significantly reduced. Many smaller cacti have bulbous stems that combine the largest possible water storage capacity with the smallest transpiration water loss surface area. The tallest standalone cactus is Pachycereus pringlei, with the highest recorded height of 19.2 m (63 feet), and the smallest is Blossfeldia liliputiana, which is only about 1 cm (0.4 inches) in diameter when mature. It is said that a fully grown cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) can absorb up to 200 US gallons (760 liters; 170 British gallons) of water during heavy rains. A few species are significantly different from most species in this family in appearance. At least on the surface, Leuenbergeria, Rhodocactus, and Pereskia are similar to other trees and shrubs that grow around them. They have long-lasting leaves, and when they get old, the stems will be covered with bark. Their areolas recognize them as cacti, and despite their appearance, they also have many water-saving adaptations. Leuenbergeria is considered to be very close to the ancestor species of all cacti evolution. In the tropics, other cacti grow in the form of forest climbers and epiphytes (plants that grow on trees). Their stems are usually flat and almost leaf-like in appearance, with few or no thorns, such as the famous Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus (belonging to the genus Schlumbergera). Cacti have many uses: many species are used as ornamental plants, other species are used as fodder or forage, and other species are used as food (especially their fruits). Cochineal is a product of insects that live on cacti. Many succulents in the Old and New Worlds—such as some euphorbias—are also prickly-stemmed succulents, so they are sometimes incorrectly referred to as “cactus.” #Unknown knowledge.
