Contrary to opinions, Cactus fruits are safe to eat. And here are some facts and myths that you should know about cactus and its’ species.
A cactus (plural – cacti, cactuses) as it is commonly called is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about one hundred and twenty-seven genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllenes. The word “cactus” was derived from Latin through the ANCIENT GREEK, κάκτος, kaktos, a name originally used by Theophrastus for a spiny plant whose identity is now not certain.
It occurs in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Most cacti live in habitats subject to at least some drought. Many live in an extremely dry environments, even being found in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth.
All cactus are safe to eat. The only difference you may notice among fruits from different cacti species is that some are more bitter and sour than others. However, all of them are edible and won’t cause any harm to the body system.
It is promoted for treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hangovers. It is also touted for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Cactus shows many adaptation to conserve water in any environment it is being planted.
In some people, prickly pear cactus can cause some minor side effects including diarrhea, nausea, bloating, and headache.
In rare cases, eating large amounts of prickly pear cactus fruits can cause a blockage in the lower intestines. It turns out they are all fairly long lived plants, but there is quite a variation in their lifespan.
Cactus spines are produced from specialized structures called Areoles, a kind of highly reduced branch. Areoles are an identifying feature of cacti as well as spines. Areoles give rise to flowers, which are usually tubular and multiple tailed.
Cactus lifespan typically ranges from 10 to 200 years, depending on the species.
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