Cactus is a perennial plant from the Carnation family. It comes from North and South America, from the islands of the West Indies. You can also meet it in Africa, in Madagascar. Some representatives of cacti are distributed throughout the continent, except Antarctica. In Russia, some plant species are common on the coasts of Crimea, the Mediterranean Sea, the south of the Volga region and other places.
Cactus is a unique representative of evergreen plants. There are more than 3,000 plant species. Cacti reach a height of 10 meters and live on average 500 years. It is covered with thorns and thorns up to 12 centimeters long. There is a waxy coating and hairs all over the trunk. The plant has no leaves, and consists of a thick, green stem of various shapes. They can be smooth or ribbed, it all depends on the type of plant. There is only one type of cactus, the Pyrexia, which has leaves similar to those of citrus plants.
The plant grows in the sands of deserts, from rock crevices, under the open scorching sun. Cactus tends to accumulate water in its cells. In deserts, for example, the temperature during the day is very high, but at night it drops to 10 degrees, and this drop causes dew to form. It settles on plants and soil. This amount of moisture is enough for them to survive. Abundantly moist soil is detrimental to the plant, the root system rots, and the cactus begins to wither.
The cactus blooms very rarely, but it is a flower of unusual beauty and aroma. Many plant species produce fruits that are used as livestock feed. Cacti are also used to make hedges. The trunks are used in the construction of dwellings.
In addition to wild cacti, there are cultivated domestic ones. They are grown on windowsills in pots. You can buy soil at the store specifically designed for cactus plants. Minimal care required. They need to sunbathe for at least 4 hours, and the soil should be moderately moist. You need to water it with rain or melt water, you can also pour tap water into a bottle and let it settle for several days. Also, during the summer, the cactus can be planted in open ground.
Almost no one knows that cactus absorbs solar radiation. It is also used in medicine. In the 20th century it was discovered that it contains an antibiotic. With its help, many diseases are cured.
Cactus is an amazing and mysterious flower.
Option 2
Cactus is a perennial flowering plant. The cactus belongs to the carnation family. Cacti are divided into four groups:
- The first group includes the Pereskiev subfamily. This is a type of shrub that has its own leaves and stems. This subfamily of plants is considered a transitional link between cacti and deciduous plants.
- The second group includes the Opuntiaceae subfamily. These plants have leaves, stems, and also thorns - glochidia. This type of spikes is special. These are very small and hard spines, which, when they get into the stomach of an animal that has eaten them, cause a very strong burning sensation and irritation, thereby protecting itself from being eaten.
- The third group includes the subfamily Maukhienivyh. These plants are very similar in appearance to the Opuntiaceae subfamily. The difference is that this subgroup does not have spines - glochidia.
- The fourth group includes a subfamily called Cactaceae. These plants do not have leaves or glochidia. The shape of the plant is usually always a ball or a cylinder. Some species are shaped like flat leaves.
Cacti have very wide uses by people. They are used in food, medicine, as paints, and as a building material. These plants are specially grown as hedges. Cacti are widely used as indoor plants in our apartments and offices.
Cacti are a favorite delicacy in Mexico. They are called dragon fruits. Edible varieties of these plants are grilled with onions and tomatoes, and various salads, desserts, jams and soups are prepared. Strong alcoholic drinks, such as tequila, are made from cacti.
The appearance of cacti is very interesting, so they are widely used as an ornamental plant. Another positive aspect of cacti is that they are very unpretentious in everyday life - they rarely need to be watered. They are resistant to heat and dry air, and are unpretentious in reproduction.
The cactus is especially good when it blooms. The flowers of this plant are white, pink and scarlet. These flowers have a very pleasant aroma, which is why cacti are also used in cosmetology to create perfumes, tonic creams and gels.
What can you cook?
All parts of the plant are eaten, except, of course, the spines . Juices that quench thirst well and sweetener syrups that can be consumed by diabetics are made from cacti.
Dishes made from cactus fruits
The fruits are consumed not only raw, but also jams, preserves, marmalade and even seasonings are prepared from them. The fruits of some species have not only a pleasant taste, but also healing properties. Cactus stems are also eaten: they can be pickled, fried, boiled, baked, stewed, or made into a salad.
Beverages
Not only healthy refreshing juice is made from cacti, but also alcohol. The “king” of this trend is the prickly pear, widespread in Mexico. The most famous cactus drink is Baytra liqueur, which is produced in Malta.
Not long ago, the Czechs learned to make diet beer from cactus , which has not yet achieved worldwide recognition, but is popular in Europe. From cacti, Mexicans make a strong alcoholic drink, “Sahuaro,” which is consumed not only in its pure form, but also as part of cocktails, and also goes well with martinis.
Message about Cactus
Cacti evolved from other perennial plant species more than 30 million years ago. The word “cactus” is of ancient Greek origin, but its meaning has not reached our days. Many experts believe that this word was coined by Carl Linnaeus and means a plant with thorns. America is the birthplace of cacti. Now some of their species are distributed throughout the world, not counting Antarctica. They also grow in Russia: on the Black Sea coast and in the south of the Volga region.
There are cacti of all sizes and shapes. They can be spherical, creeping, columnar. The specific structure of the plant helps it escape from drought. The cactus can withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees. They range from two centimeters in diameter to 2-3 tons in weight. Instead of leaves, cacti grow spines. They differ in size and location. Some species have soft spines, while other species have hard ones. They are necessary for the plant to protect itself from animals. Wolves and dogs are especially afraid of them.
Flowers of cacti can be of different colors and shades. This depends on its species, as well as the type of pollination. The main pollinators of cacti are hummingbirds, bees and all kinds of butterflies.
Even before Columbus arrived in America, local residents used cacti for various purposes: they ate them for food, made strong hedges from them, and extracted dyes. And they were even used as medicine and a drug for ritual activities. Some types of cacti are still used for food by Mexicans. They prepare candied pieces from them, which are considered the best delicacy for the local population. In Argentina, drums are still made from cactus trunks. The plant is a good raw material for making soap and shampoos, vitamins and various sweets, as well as alcoholic beverages. Twenty-meter tall Californian cacti called cereus have more than once saved travelers from thirst, as they contain more than 2 tons of drinking water.
Cacti, as an ornamental plant, attracted many Europeans for their unusual appearance. They began to be grown in Europe in the 16th century. Many cactus lovers have collected entire collections. One of these famous collectors was Morgan, a London pharmacist. Large collections were presented in the botanical gardens of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in private greenhouses. In Russia, cacti began to be grown as indoor plants in the 50s of the 20th century.
You can find many popular science publications and dictionaries about cacti, but there is still no complete reference book in Russian.
How does it adapt to its environment?
Now let’s talk about why cactus grows spines instead of leaves. To adapt to their habitat, nature has endowed cacti with special grooves along which water accumulates to the roots and accumulates in them. The spherical shape contributes to low evaporation of moisture. The formation of cracks is prevented by ribs on the stem.
The thick skin protects the plant from heat , and the spines and fibers create a protective shade. In addition, the spines have the unique ability to attract drops of water electrostatically, and also protect the plant from hungry animals and promote pollination. The cactus does not have leaves, so as not to waste precious moisture.
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The cactus is an unusual plant that differs from others in the absence of leaves and the presence of spines. Photosynthesis occurs with the help of the green pillar of which it is composed. The way this plant does not resemble more than one leafy plant, biologists and sailors who often visited America became interested in it.
The shapes and sizes of cacti are very diverse, they can be both tall and low, both thin and thick, both round and oval. In the wild, cacti are large and branchy, and they grow wildly. But at home, they are small in size and always well-groomed, and usually such plants do not have branches; they can appear in several decades.
The spines of a cactus perform an important function; since this plant has a poorly developed root system, the cactus can only take moisture with the help of the spines. So, the main function of the thorns is to absorb moisture. The spines also perform a protective function; they protect the plant from sunlight and temperature changes, especially when it gets dark and colder.
A small cactus should not feel a lack of water, so you need to look at the soil; if the soil is dry, then it’s time to water it. An adult cactus needs to be watered about four times a month in the summer, but in winter it does not need watering at all, and if watering is necessary, then no more than twice a month.
When watering your plant, you should pay attention to its location; if the pot is on the sunny side, then it needs to be watered often, and if it is in the shade, then it needs to be watered less often.
Regular tap water is not suitable for watering your prickly friend, because it is cold and rich in chlorine, which can have a detrimental effect on the plant. It is recommended to boil 5 liters. water and add 9% vinegar there, this is a good food for cactus.
In the desert, cacti are a real salvation for people, because they quench thirst and hunger, and this plant is also useful for eating. By the way, candied fruits are made from cacti, jam is made, wines, liqueurs and the well-known tequila are made.
Cactus is a unique plant that has won the hearts of not only scientists, but also ordinary people, because this plant is not only beautiful in appearance, it has many benefits and is used in the food industry.
What is it - a homemade green hedgehog in a pot: a brief description and a succulent or not?
Let's figure out what the name means and what family this plant belongs to. The cactus got its name because of its characteristic spines : from other Greek. κάκτος means “thorny plant.”
The family of dicotyledonous plants Cactaceae (lat. Cactaceae) belongs to the order Cloves. The family includes 150 genera, and the number of species exceeds 3000. Below is a comparative description of succulents and cacti.
Representatives of the Cactaceae are perennial succulents with thick, fleshy, almost completely ribbed stems. Succulents (which in Latin means succulentus - succulent) are perennial plants of dry places that store water reserves in leaves or stems (cacti - Cactus in English). However, it should be understood that cacti and succulents are not the same thing.
Cacti are flowering plants. It would be a mistake to call it a flower, because a flower is a plant organ. However, many types of cacti bloom. The plant has a great variety of unusual properties and characteristics. For example, the unique pigment of a flower, a wide variety of shapes and sizes of stems - from tiny two-centimeter balls to tall plants of several meters.
Option 2
Cactus is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Carnationaceae group. Plants evolved about 30 million years ago, at which time they acquired their familiar appearance. The habitat of cacti is the countries of the New World. They are widespread in North and South America, as well as in the West Indies. They are found in Africa, on the island of Madagascar and in Sri Lanka, where they were brought by migratory birds. Since the cactus is a very unpretentious plant, today it can be found on all continents in botanical gardens or in private collections of indoor plant lovers.
In Greek culture, the word “kaktos” denoted plant species unknown to scientists. Later, Carl Lineus began to use this word to classify cacti.
Plants of the cactus family come in different shapes (from spherical to cone-shaped and elongated). They grow in desert areas. The cactus root system consists of two parts: surface roots and roots that go deep into the ground. The climatic conditions of deserts create large temperature differences, due to which moisture falls in the form of dew. Surface roots, whose length reaches 5 meters, collect this moisture, allowing the plant to survive for a long time without watering or rain.
The second type of roots holds massive cacti above the ground. This root has an impressive size, so even during hurricanes the plants do not suffer from gusty winds. However, it does not reach groundwater and therefore mainly serves only as an “anchor”.
The stem of a cactus is capable of absorbing water. It can be ribbed or smooth. Depending on the type of cactus, bristles, spines or leaves are formed on its surface. They are modified bud scales of stem tissues. The large cactus flower has a pleasant aroma. It contains areoles in the form of spines and hairs.
People have been using the fruits and stems of the cactus for food since ancient times. Used as a medicinal product. It also serves as a building material and hedge. Dwarf cactus species are grown in homes as an ornamental plant.
History of origin: where is its homeland and how does it grow in nature?
Now about where the homeland of cacti is located. The first mentions of cacti are found in Spanish newspapers in 1535. Then they began to be grown. Cacti first came to Europe after Columbus's expedition to America. In the 30s of the XVIII century, in his works, Carl Linnaeus described 22 species of plants, which he named Cactus. In this century there were many descriptions and information about cacti, and a fashion arose for breeding these plants. Their country of origin is considered to be South and North America. We’ll tell you further where else cacti live.
Cacti are distributed mainly on this continent, including in deserts. In addition, representatives of some species grow in Africa, Mauritius and Madagascar, and are found in Australia, India, and Mediterranean countries. In general, cacti live on all continents except Antarctica.
Message 3
Planet Earth is known for its diversity of plants, which have their own characteristics and unusual features. One of the most popular and unusual flowering plants is the cactus family. Scientists and botanists are trying to determine the time of formation of cacti, although no fossil remains have been found, but presumably they have been growing on earth 30 million years ago.
The etymology of the word is known only because in ancient Greek it was the name of another plant, which is now unknown to science. Since 1771, cacti began to designate green plants whose surface is covered with spines. Even earlier they were called melocactus, and then this name was simply shortened.
The origin of cacti comes from South and parts of North America. Migratory birds brought cactus seeds to Africa and Asia. Later, people began to spread the plant around the world. Now the cactus tends to grow in any part of the world except Antarctica. Undoubtedly, the cactus prefers warm places, because its homeland is the desert, where there is a minimum of moisture and maximum sun. In Russia, cacti are found in the south, in Crimea and the region of the city of Gelendzhik.
Not all cacti are similar in structure and are closely related. The main cactus family has a special organ - the halo. It resembles a kidney. The fruit and flower of a cactus are part of a stem, which is not typical of other plants. The areoles resemble spines in appearance and the hairs are also called buds, since they collect moisture from the space and are able to retain it inside for a long time in order to preserve life. In this case, the fetus does not have needles.
Features of care
A cactus at home needs enough light, so it is better to place pots on a south or east window. But only if we are talking about desert species! Forest cacti, on the contrary, prefer western and northern windows.
In summer, it is better to place the cactus on the balcony to provide more fresh air. In winter, they need a cool place (15-17 degrees) and shade. Contrary to popular belief, cactus needs abundant watering. To do this, it is better to use water at room temperature, and ideally rain or melt water.
Report about Cactus
One of the plants that lives in dry places is the cactus. This is a prickly plant belonging to the cactus family. Unpretentious in care, they grow on the sands of deserts, semi-deserts and rocky plateaus. The spines located throughout the plant are modified leaves. They come in various lengths and shapes. With their help, plants manage to remain for a long time without water under the scorching sun. They store moisture and release it for a very long time, since the stomata that were located on the leaves have become smaller due to the change in shape into spines. They also serve to protect against animals.
The stem of a cactus can have different shapes: columnar, spherical, cylindrical and others.
The uses of cacti are quite wide and varied. Some, when flowering, produce edible fruits for humans, and some are used as livestock feed. Large cacti are sometimes used as hedges, and some trunks are used for construction.
For many years, cacti have been used as house plants. After all, they are not fussy to care for. Some cacti sprout flowers of various shapes and colors. Cacti were brought to Europe from America. They attracted people with their unusual appearance. Many people collect entire collections of decorative cacti on their windowsills at home. Entire greenhouses with different types of cacti are being created.
As mentioned earlier, cacti are unpretentious in care. The temperature in which they can live depends entirely on the light. The more light a plant receives, the more heat it needs. This explains the fact that cacti can grow in deserts. Accordingly, if the plant receives little light, then it will require less heat. Therefore, at night, the room temperature should not exceed 18 degrees Celsius. Although cacti are adapted to life in arid places and can remain without moisture for a long time, still, like any living creature, a cactus requires water. From which he will receive all the substances necessary for existence. The amount of water depends on the life activity of the cactus. During the period of activity, the cactus requires a sufficient amount of water so that the substrate under it does not dry out. During dormancy, reduce watering to a minimum. In summer, watering is once every 1-3 weeks. Watering should be carried out after the soil has completely dried. In autumn and winter, water the indoor plant with one tablespoon of water every 8-10 days. Plants can also obtain moisture from the air with the help of spines.
Law of Growth
Cacti are indeed very unpretentious and beautiful plants , but their significant drawback is their slow growth. Although cacti are said to like dry soil and don't need frequent watering, they grow best when it rains when it comes to wild plants. In addition to humidity levels, sunlight is also important for them. Therefore, cacti begin to grow actively in the spring.
It is easy to determine the beginning of this phase, because in many plant species it manifests itself externally. For example, in some, the tops of the spines become brighter, there are more spines, and the skin of the upper part of the stem takes on a different, more saturated shade.
In winter, cacti undergo a dormant cycle , and they need nutrients most of all. In spring, the plant begins to bloom, it needs more moisture, fertilizer, a lot of light and warmth. Flowering continues in summer.
More details about how cacti grow are described here.
Message 5 option
Cactus is a plant that lives primarily in tropical climates. It is distinguished by the presence of spines and the absence of leaves. Most cacti are so different from the plants we are used to that sometimes we are even surprised to see something in front of us that looks more like an alien creature. It is worth saying that cacti are in many ways similar to ordinary plants. They have the same organs as everyone else.
There is an opinion that almost all cacti grow in deserts. But this is not entirely true. Cacti grow extremely slowly, and as soon as they appeared on the surface, they would immediately be covered with sand. But deserts are different, with different annual precipitation and temperatures. There is no place on earth where only cacti grow. If we see a cactus somewhere, it means that many other plants can be found nearby. Most cacti grow in semi-deserts, tropics and steppes.
Growing a cactus at home is quite a simple task. If they can grow in the desert, then a flower pot will seem like paradise to them. However, it is worth understanding that the cactus also needs proper care. Yes, cacti can live for a long time without water, especially in winter, but, nevertheless, sometimes it is worth watering them. Cacti should be placed on window sills or on the balcony. Many people place a cactus next to their computer, thinking that this plant will help them get rid of some harmful radiation. But this is not true.
The cactus can also be used for medicinal purposes. Cactus juice has an antibacterial effect and also helps against rheumatism. According to many scientists, cactus can be used to treat headaches, stomach problems, and pieces of cactus can also be applied to a wound for speedy healing. An ordinary plant, but so many benefits! Cacti can be completely different. Their stems can be round, elongated, ribbed, etc. Not all cacti may have spines; there are also absolutely “naked” representatives. If you got a cactus with spines, then you need to be very careful with it. After all, one wrong move, and you already have a thorn sticking out of your finger, which will be very painful to get back.
If the owner of the cactus is lucky, he can observe a beautiful flowering. Flowers can be of completely different sizes, but they will certainly be beautiful and have eye-catching shades. Different cacti bloom at different times. Some can bloom almost every month, while others have to wait for years.
If you are planning to bring a cactus into your home, then you should understand that they rarely get along with other indoor plants. The point here is the conditions of detention. For example, a large number of plants require special humidity, while for a cactus this will only cause harm and suffering.
Also, do not water cacti with regular tap water. Such water is usually hard, which causes a large amount of salts to accumulate at the base of the stems, which harms the plant. In order for the cactus to feel good and please its owner for many years, it should be watered with rain or melt water. You should also use special soil, which can be purchased at garden stores.
How to determine age?
It is impossible to determine the age of a cactus visually. There are only two options to find out: track it from the moment of sowing or ask the person who grew it. The age of a cactus is calculated by dormant periods. If, for example, a cactus grows for three years in the same conditions - from humidity to lighting, then all three years are one year of the cactus’s life. If in 5 years a cactus has had one dormant period, then it means it is not 5 years old, but only its second year (read about how long cacti live at home and in nature here).
How long a cactus grows depends, first of all, on the species. Some species can reach several meters in height with a properly selected pot. But in any case, it is easier for wild cacti to reach maximum height than for domestic ones. The famous “Queen of the Night” can reach 20 m in height.
Report cactus indoor plant
Cacti are one of the most ancient plants on our planet. They appeared on Earth many, many years ago, when dinosaurs still lived on the planet.
These plants have a trunk of various shapes - there are round ones, similar to hedgehogs. And there are straight ribbed trunks. All cacti have one thing in common: instead of leaves, most of them have spines. The spines can be small and located throughout the trunk of the plant, or they can be sparsely located, but larger in size. Some types of cacti simply have very large spines, which can easily injure a person or animal. The needles of these plants serve for protection from damage by animals and for reproduction: the spines are attached to the fur of animals or clothing of people and are transported over long distances.
People use different types of cacti in different ways. There are cacti - medicinal plants. Large tree-like cacti are used as hedges. Cacti are also used as ornamental plants - indoors, greenhouses, or to create beautiful compositions in flower beds.
Low species of cacti are used as indoor plants. With favorable care, indoor cacti bloom with beautiful delicate flowers. Some types of cacti bloom exclusively in the dark and for only a few hours. Lovers of indoor cacti collect them in collections all over the world, exchange them, and develop new varieties.
In nature, cacti grow only in warm and sunny climates - in America, Africa, and India. Cacti are not afraid of prolonged drought, as these plants can accumulate water in their trunks during the rainy season. In the open air, some species of cacti grow to the size of huge trees or grow in the form of large, spiny pillars.
Cactus is a very beautiful and unusual plant.
Reproduction
At home, cactus reproduces in the following ways:
The simplest are the first two methods.
Children
- Children (1.5-2 cm) are detached from the mother plant.
- The children are attached to a glass of water at a distance of 5-7 mm from the water to the cactus.
- As water evaporates, it is added. It is better to maintain a temperature of 25-30 degrees.
- After the roots have formed, the children sit down. Virmiculite, zeolite, coarse sand or small stones can be sprinkled around the cactus.
Cuttings
- Healthy and strong parts of the cactus are selected.
- The upper part of the cactus is cut off, sharpened, dried for about 7 days and rooted in the ground.
- For better rooting, the lower part of the cut cactus is placed in a warm Kornevin solution (1 tsp per 0.5 l of water) for several hours. Then it is dried for 2-3 days and planted in the ground.
Seeds
Rarely succeeds. Fungus appears on some emerging sprouts, others lose roots, dry out or rot.
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Bloom, my star!
Cacti may not bloom at all if there are no suitable conditions for this. Some species begin to bloom from the age of three, while others will take as long as 10 years. Flowering of the cactus usually begins in the spring, after a period of dormancy . It is quite difficult to achieve flowering of a plant, and suitable conditions for them are not always sufficient.
It is necessary to alternate the life stages that are observed in the natural growth conditions of the cactus. Therefore, if you want a cactus to bloom, you need to choose one of two ways: either make every effort to achieve the desired result, or choose unpretentious species.
Drainage
For succulents, drainage plays a huge role, especially if the flower is planted in a container with small holes or when you decide to plant 2-3 cacti in one pot. The drainage layer is a maximum of 1/5 of the volume of the dish, a minimum of 1/2. Drainage can be made from different materials: broken brick, crushed stone, expanded clay, wine cork. If you use a wine cork as drainage, then it will need to be cut into small pieces, their size should be approximately 5 mm. During transplantation, the old drainage will need to be thrown away and then a new one will be filled in.
If you are interested in the question of how to plant a cactus and make good drainage for it, then add eggshells there, after breaking them.
Drainage for plants
Diseases
Diseases of cacti are most often caused by bacteria, lower fungi, mycoplasmas, and viruses. Their impact can lead to the death of the plant, and rare and valuable species most often become targets of enemies. To avoid infection of cacti, favorable living conditions will again help.
Among cactus diseases, the most common are:
- spotting;
- viral mosaic of epiphyllums;
- Euphorbia mosaic virus;
- jaundice;
- prickly pear witches' brooms;
- dry and wet rot;
- mushroom growth and others.
You can learn about diseases and pests of cacti here.
Cacti, like any plants, require careful care , care and special conditions. Sometimes you need to take care of house flowers as if you were your own children, because it is the owner’s attitude towards the plants that determines their health, beauty and normal development.
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Examples in the interior
We could talk about cacti for a long time. However, it is better to show how they can be used in the design of home premises. The photo below shows exactly what a composition of succulents of various sizes looks like. The largest of them are placed on the floor, in the foreground. Smaller specimens are placed on shelves against a light pink wall.
But even if the wall is bluish, it is quite possible to use cacti for decoration. The composition is largely based on the use of plants of various shapes. These are classic elongated cylinders with red tops, shoots randomly sticking out in all directions, a cactus with a guitar-shaped top, and even a plate-like specimen.
But the designers’ delights don’t end there; there are even more original solutions. For example, you can plant multi-stemmed cacti inside zebra figures on the window. A tapeworm might also be a good idea. Especially if the cactus itself is embossed and has an unusual shape. The photo shows exactly this method of decoration - using a unique flowerpot in the shape of a shoe.
To learn how to properly care for a cactus, watch the following video.
Turtles
Reptiles unique in their structure are turtles. The body of animals is in a dense shell, covered with skin or horny scutes. It is a bit like a shell, as it consists of an upper and lower part.
The turtle is not just located inside the shell, it is a single whole with it. The upper part of the “frame” is fused with the animal’s spine, the lower part is formed by the collarbone and abdominal ribs. It is impossible to get the turtle out of the “house” without crippling it.
In case of danger, the animal hides its head and limbs inside. How does the relative nature of fitness manifest itself in this case? Predators cannot chew the shell or pick the turtle out of it. But the eagles lift it high above the ground, release it so that the shell breaks, and then eat their prey.
Prickly pear cacti nearly caused an environmental disaster in Australia
In 1787, prickly pears were accidentally introduced to Australia. The best pasture lands were filled with this, one might say, weed; they could not get rid of it for 150 years . It multiplied quickly and became a real environmental disaster. If the cows left it, they then died from thorns that got into their stomachs.
Neither pesticides nor cutting down could cope with this tenacious cactus. But in 1925, the Argentine moth, which feeds on prickly pears, was brought to Australia. This moth ate all the thickets. The Australians, who understood that she had saved them, erected a monument to this butterfly.
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