What is a cactus?
Q: What is a cactus?
A: A cactus is a kind of plant adapted to hot, dry climates that belongs to the family Cactaceae and order Caryophyllales.
Q: Where do most cacti originate from?
A: Most cacti are native to the Americas, from Patagonia in the south to parts of western Canada in the north. The species Rhipsalis baccifera also grows in Africa and Sri Lanka.
Q: What does the word 'cactus' come from?
A: The word 'cactus' comes from Ancient Greek κάκτος, kaktos. It was first used by Theophrastus for a spiny plant whose identity is not known for sure.
Q: How do cacti fit into food chains?
A: Cacti are part of an important food chain in dry, hot climates as many animals eat their fruits.
Q: Are all cacti found in deserts?
A: No, not all cacti live in deserts; some have spread to many other parts of the world and people like to grow them in pots or gardens.
Q: What features do most cacti have?
A: Most cacti have sharp thorns (stickers) and thick skin. There are many shapes and sizes of cacti - some are short and round; others are tall and thin. Many also have big beautiful flowers which can bloom at night and be pollinated by moths or bats.
