The hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii) has sharp “quills” all over it, just like the hedgehog. A clump of the prickly plant resembles an enlarged hedgehog in addition to having spines. Hedgehog cactus can be planted in Sunset Climate Zones 2, 3, 7 1st 10 through 24 and need full sun to thrive. As with most cacti species, the hedgehog cactus has several spines that must be handled carefully to prevent being stabbed. One of the cactus species with vividly colored flowers is the hedgehog cactus.
Hedgehog cactus thrive in rocky soil and are frequently found in mountain deserts, shrublands, aspen or juniper tree groves, desert grasslands, and shrublands. The plant may flourish at elevations between 3,020 and 7,900 feet. Typically, it can be found inside or up against different rock formations.
The hedgehog cactus’ defense mechanisms against predators are among its other morphological features. Sharp spines that cover the entire plant serve as its primary defense and shield the cactus from the heat of the desert sun. The ideal temperature of the plant’s stem is likewise maintained in part by this shade.
In addition to its spines, the hedgehog cactus has a waxy coating that helps it retain water. On plant parts that receive the most sun, the wax is thickest. In order to execute a “exchange” of oxygen and carbon dioxide during the cooler nighttime hours, hedgehog cactus also open their stomata, or pores.
Form: Cactus
Seasonality: Perennial
Size: 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide, clumps
Leaves: n/a
Flowers: Showy, deep red-purplish, rows of petals
Fruit: Fleshy, edible
Stems/Trunks: Cylindrical, ribbed with thorns
Range/Origin: SW USA, N. Mexico
Hardiness: Sunset Zones; 2,3,7,10 -14
Comments: Low litter, long thorns
CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Exposure: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Soil: Sandy, well drained
- Propagation: Seed, division
- Maintenance: Minimal
Adaptation of cacti to living in arid places
Cacti contain aquifers in their stems where they store water, which allows them to adapt to the dry conditions of the desert. Additionally, the cactus’ unique root structure aids in its ability to thrive in the desert.
Cactus stems have spines on them that prevent the plant from evaporating water, thereby conserving moisture. In the dry conditions of the desert, the vast evaporative surface of the leaves is a real waste. Accordingly, as a result of the reduction, thinning, and sharpening during the course of evolution, leaves eventually converted into spines and fully lost their photosynthetic role, which in cacti completely passed to the green stem.
Cacti have two distinct sections of their root systems. deep-rooted roots and horses on the surface. Dew, which forms due to temperature changes, must be collected by surface roots. They spread out to a width of up to 4-5 meters and are found on the soil’s surface. The desert’s air reaches a temperature of 40 to 45 °C during the day. Temperatures dip to 10-15 C during the night. Such drips cause moisture to develop, which then falls as dew on the land. The cactus may withstand a dry spell thanks to its surface roots, which store moisture.
The cactus must have deep-rooted roots in order to be anchored in the ground. Even during powerful hurricanes, they can support a massive quantity of cactus due to their vast size. These substantial roots merely operate as cactus anchors because they are not long enough to reach any subsurface water.
The biological role of cactus adaptation
Cacti grow in arid semi-desert regions, even in deserts…
The cactus has the following adaptations:
1) the root system penetrates deep into the soil
2) water is stored in the stems.
3) The leaves are covered with a wax coating, modified into spines or needles. (to reduce moisture evaporation)
Cactus roots collect water quickly and efficiently after short rains in the desert.
Desert cactus are found in desert regions with scant amounts of precipitation. Short bursts of rain are the norm when it rains. Cacti must therefore evolve to swiftly and effectively capture water before the moisture evaporates into the dry air in order to survive. Desert cacti’s roots have two features that make them capable of doing this.
shallow root systems
Some larger cacti, like the enormous saguar, also have a deep root that supports the plant and retains water, but the majority of desert cacti have a vast network of shallow roots that stretch close to the surface of the ground.
The shallow root system allows cacti to absorb as much water as possible when it rains, as well as allowing access to small amounts of moisture that may appear on the surface due to fog, mist, or morning dew.
temporal root hairs
When it rains, cactus roots adopt an intriguing additional method to conserve water by producing transient root hairs. The region of the root system that is in touch with the soil is rapidly expanding as a result of the rapid growth of these root hairs.
The root hairs eventually die as the soil dries up and is no longer required. This stops the soil’s water from evaporating and spares the plant from using energy to sustain them.
Why don’t cacti have leaves?
The absence of leaves is one of the cactus’ most notable adaptations. Although not all cacti have leaves, those that do are mostly found in three relatively unique cactus groups: the genera Pereskia and Maihuenia, as well as subspecies of the Opuntioideae family.
So why don’t most cacti have leaves?
Cacti no longer require leaves due of the process of photosynthesis and the requirement for pores to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
A stoma is a collection of plant pores, whereas stomae are collections of numerous holes.
When there is not enough sunlight, they close and open to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis, respectively.
The majority of photosynthesis often occurs in a plant’s leaves, which are green because they contain a lot of light-absorbing chlorophyll.
Ordinary, ugly leaves have a flat form that maximizes their exposure to sunlight by giving them a larger surface area than their internal tissue. The leaves’ broad surface also indicates that they have numerous buds.
Why do cacti live in the desert?
A cactus can survive in the desert due to the following characteristics: (i) It has long roots that go deep into the ground to absorb water. (ii) Its leaves are shaped like spines to prevent water loss by transpiration. (iii) Its stem is covered with a thick waxy layer to retain water.
What cactus lives in the desert?
The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran desert. These plants are large, tree-like, columnar cacti that develop branches (or arms) as they age, although some never develop arms.
How do cacti survive in hot deserts?
The cactus is a diverse group of succulent plants that have adapted to survive in a variety of different environments. Their root systems are shallow, allowing them to collect rainwater. They also have fantastic water storage capacity, with stems that can photosynthesize. These adaptations allow the cactus to survive in dry areas where it might not receive water for weeks at a time. The cactus can also hibernate when needed and protect itself with its spines.
On top of all this, cacti are extremely hardy plants. They can deal with lots of different climates—even in North America there are cacti that live through snowstorms and get through drought when there isn’t enough rain.
The cool thing about cacti is that they’ve been used by humans in many different ways throughout history. Here’s just a few examples:
In South America, the Incas used them as farming tools, burying small seeds in between the spines of the larger plants so that they could grow into more trees for shade. In Mexico, the Tarahumara people used them as shoes, wrapping their feet in cactus pads as protection from rough terrain.
Do all deserts have cacti?
In fiction, most deserts have cacti , usually the classic two-armed saguaro, although barrel and beavertail cacti are also popular. But the Sahara only has bushes, dunes and bare rocks – cacti are only native to the Americas. … Mistletoe is the only exception: it can be found in Africa and Sri Lanka.
Are cacti found in the desert?
Cacti are found throughout desert regions and typically bloom in late March through May. Flowers range in color from the deep magenta of the hedgehog cactus to the cream-colored blooms of the saguaro, and from bright yellow prickly pear to the pink blooms of the beavertail cactus. The unkempt spines on their trunks and branches are typically a shade of green, brown or black, and tend to have a powdery coating that can be difficult to remove.
Growth is slow for most cacti, with some species only reaching up to about six inches in a year’s time. Others like the saguaro cactus can grow up to 10 feet every year, potentially reaching over 50 feet tall if undisturbed. This makes them fascinating plants for gardeners who aren’t afraid of heights, as they often require some pruning to keep them at appropriate size.
What made the cactus able to live in the desert and how is it protected?
Even in mild showers, the plant’s shallow root structure allows for optimal water absorption. A thick, waxy cuticle that covers the plant helps it retain water and prevents it from drying out in the intense heat.
What adaptation do desert plants have?
Succulence, drought tolerance, and drought avoidance are the three main adaptive mechanisms that have developed in desert plants. Each of these is a unique yet powerful set of adaptations to survive in environments where plants from other places would perish.
How do cacti get water in the desert?
Cacti are one of the most adaptive plants on Earth. Native to the Americas, they can grow in regions with only a few inches of rain per year. Their thick skins help protect them from humans and animals who might want to eat them. They also have spines, which protect them from being eaten by small animals like rabbits.
By spreading out its roots, a cactus is able to collect water when it rains. This water is stored in its body so the cactus can survive during dry spells. In the wild, cacti live in desert environments that regularly experience droughts or floods.
How does a cactus survive high temperatures?
One of the main functions of cactus spines is quite obvious: they protect cacti from predators. Its sharp spines will ward off most animals, but not all. When it comes to human predators (mainly people who collect cactus for their own decorative purposes), most collectors know what to do before getting injured. They will wear protective gloves and sometimes even face masks to avoid getting pricked by the cactus’s spines.
But what about other animals? It seems that some animals are not afraid of these spines. For instance, one animal that feeds on the cactus are the peccaries, a species of wild pigs native to Mexico and Central America. They have been known to eat prickly pear fruits without any apparent ill effect.
However, only certain parts of the cactus are edible and safe for animals to consume; many parts such as spines, glochids (small barbed bristles), and fruit pulp are very dangerous and can cause severe medical problems if consumed by any animal or person.
Are there cacti in the Sahara?
The Sahara and its oases and plateaus harbor life of all kinds. Beyond the vegetation above, you can expect to find fig trees, orange trees, acacias, tobacco plants, oleanders, peyote cacti, and many more shrubs, trees, plants, and cacti.
What are 5 interesting facts about the desert?
Fun facts and information about the desert for kids
- Antarctica is a huge ice desert! …
- People live in deserts. …
- Desert plants store water. …
- The Arabian Desert Falls Under Deserts And Xeric Shrubs. …
- Desert biomes are desert ecosystems. …
- The Animals Come Out At Night. …
- The climate is different for each desert.
How are cacti protected?
One of the main functions of spines is quite obvious: they protect cacti from predators. Its sharp spines will ward off most animals, but not all. … An amazing function of cactus spines is to shade the cactus itself.
What makes cacti special?
Cacti can be distinguished from other succulents by the presence of areoles, small cushion-shaped structures with trichomes (plant hairs), and, in almost all species, spines or barbed bristles (glochids). Areoles are modified branches, from which flowers, more branches, and leaves (when present) can grow.
How do cacti survive without leaves?
Plants like cacti have different features to survive in deserts. The features are:
-Cactus has spines or scale-like structures instead of leaves
-The green parts other than the leaves carry out photosynthesis (such as the green branches and the green stem).
-Plants like cactus have a thick waxy layers to prevent loss of water by transpiration.
-Cactus survives with the help of its “green stems” and “transpiration”.
What is the habitat of cacti?
The cactus plant is a unique plant because it can survive in a very hot and dry habitat. The habitat of the cactus plant is dry, arid desert. The cactus is a type of plant that can store large amounts of water and survive in extremely hot and dry habitats. They need more water in the spring and summer because that is their fastest-growing season.
They do not have leaves like most plants to help them capture energy from the sun, so they have evolved to collect energy from warm rocks or even the soil around them. Cacti are very unique because they can be planted and grown anywhere with little care. They grow well outside, with no special conditions.
How do spines help cacti survive in the desert?
Explanation: The two methods by which spines help cacti to survive in the desert are: (i) Shrinking and altering the outer surface to reduce water evaporation. . (ii) Providing defense against grazing animals.
Why are desert plants adapted to living in the desert?
Desert plants are adapted to the dry environments in areas like the western United States, Australia and Patagonia. They have developed many different characteristics that help them survive without large amounts of water.
! Desert plants cannot live without water because they lose water through transpiration.
! Transpiration is the movement of water from plant leaves to the air through tiny pores called stomata.
! By reducing evaporation, desert plants conserve water and can survive for long periods of time without rain or snow.
! The waxy substance on these plants does not cover their stomata, but it does cover most of the leaves, keeping them cooler and reducing evaporative loss. The small leaves of desert plants also help reduce moisture loss during transpiration.
! Some desert plants have evolved to be drought tolerant due to their ability to store water in their roots and underground stems. Cacti are a prime example of these types of plants.
How do plants live in the desert?
To survive, desert plants have adapted to extremes of heat and aridity through the use of physical and behavioral mechanisms, much like desert animals. Many plants and animals in arid environments lack the ability to regulate their internal temperature (e.g., homeotherms), so they are considered poikilothermic.
Heat is absorbed passively as it passes through their bodies or is reflected from the ground and sky, and dissipated by radiation, convection, and conduction. Heat stress can be minimized by selecting a habitat with a high albedo (light reflecting power) such as white gypsum dunes or sand-covered flats, which can reflect up to 80% of incident sunlight, allowing these organisms to absorb far less radiant energy than dark-colored rocks or soil.
What are the 3 adaptations of a cactus?
For example, cactus plants:
- thick, waxy skin to reduce water loss and reflect heat.
- large, fleshy stems to store water.
- spines and fine, pointed or shiny leaves to reduce water loss.
- the spikes protect the cacti from animals that want to use the stored water.
- deep roots to take advantage of groundwater.
- Long, shallow roots that spread over a wide area.
What is inside the cactus?
Cacti are succulents that store water in their fleshy stems. The stems of most cacti contain a large amount of succulent tissue, which serves as a water reservoir for the plant. The storage tissue may act like a sponge by absorbing and holding rainwater, or it may be made of leaf bases that have been transformed into spongy tissue.
When a cactus does not have enough water, it will begin to lose its turgidity and droop.
The cactus stem also performs photosynthesis and protects the plant from extreme temperatures and most herbivores. In addition, cactus spines provide protection from predators
Can you drink cactus water?
The fishhook barrel cactus is one of the few types of cacti that can be safely consumed. The plant’s juice contains high amounts of water and a small amount of sugar, which is enough to keep you hydrated and energy when you are lost in the wilderness.
However, you should never drink cactus water on an empty stomach or consume more than a few sips at a time as it will cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.
How do cacti help the environment?
When you breathe in air that contains toxins, your body has to work harder to get rid of those toxins than it does with clean air. This is why plants are so beneficial—they absorb the gases we exhale and convert them into plant matter.
When selecting plants for your home, try to choose those that have a strong air purifying ability. Plants that have large amounts of surface area are the best at removing indoor toxins. Succulents such as Aloe Vera, Yucca, and Sempervivum are great examples of plants that help clean the air by removing Carbon Dioxide and releasing Oxygen. Many cacti do well in low-light environments and can remove pollutants like Ammonia, Benzene, and Chlorine from the surrounding air.
Where do cacti grow?
Where are they raised? Most cacti species prefer hot, arid climates to thrive. They are common throughout Mexico and much of the southwestern United States in North America. However, cacti are also found in forests, mountains, and some even grow in Alaska and close to Antarctica.
Does a cactus need air?
Air. Your cactus needs to be in an airy area since, like other plants, it needs air to survive, no matter how apparent it may sound. It should be kept in a room with good ventilation so that it may readily take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. view the temperature at which water vaporizes.
Who eats cacti?
Cactus fruit is consumed by a variety of animals, including deer, squirrels, birds, beetles, tortoises, pack rats, javelins, antelope, and hares. Sometimes farmers burn the thorns to provide food for the livestock. When eating cacti, most rodents disperse cactus seeds through their waste.
What makes the Sahara desert unique?
The Sahara is the world’s hottest desert and has one of the toughest climatic conditions. The maximum temperature ever measured was 58°C, while the average annual temperature is 30°C. In fact, less than an inch of rain falls on the region annually, covering only about half of the Sahara Desert.
What are some fun facts about the Sahara desert?
- The Saharan dunes can rise up to 180 meters.
- The Sahara desert is where many dinosaur fossils have been discovered.
- At 3,415 meters, the Emi Koussi volcano is the highest point in the Sahara desert.
- In the Sahara desert, lizards, camels, foxes, and gazelles can be found.
How do plants survive in the Sahara desert?
Saharan plants must be able to adapt to unpredictable rainfall and extreme heat. They have changed leaves into thorns in order to survive. to stop the plant’s body from losing too much water and for its deep roots to reach the water supply. Long-lasting water retention is provided by its thick stems.
Protective wax skin
The cactus would have an issue with it! Considering that it frequently happens in places where it is hot and dry for a long time. So the plant needs every drop of water that it can get. To prevent the water from evaporating, the cactus also possesses a unique outer skin. This skin is waxy and thick.
Water dispenser for birds
Even animals, like some birds, can comprehend this. In the desert, they naturally love water. Some cactus types are also very nourishing. Wonderful food!
But at least the thorns prevent the birds from tearing massive chunks of the cactus out with their beaks.
It might really harm them.
Source:
https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5624/
https://www.public.asu.edu/~camartin/plants/Plant%20html%20files/echinocereusengelmannii.html
https://cals.arizona.edu/yuma/plant_index/echenocereus_engelmanii.htm
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/characteristics-hedgehog-cactus-22973.html