Cactaceae is the family while the genus name is cereus. Cactaceae Cereus is a plant consisting of about 50 known species and is largely found in South America, western US, and the tropical new world. Some of the species include cereus argentinensis, cereus braunii, cereus hankeanus, cereus insularis, cereus diagnosis, and cereus Pachyrhizus among others. The type of cactus is described as one with an elongated body which includes epiphytic cacti and columnar cacti. The climatic conditions in the tropical new world, western US, and South America are difficult to wrap up singly as it has different types of climate ranging from the alpine desert, Mediterranean, and oceanic. However, Cactaceae Cereus has a way of adapting to its environment. Their molecular composition differs depending on their environment and thus the different species.
The cereuses are adapted to grow in vast climatic conditions. However, they mostly grow in arid and semi-arid areas. These plants have succulent stems that make it possible for them to survive dry and desert-like conditions (Eli et al. 2017). The plants are succulent because of the water storing tissues available in stems, leaves, or roots which are filled with water for plant use in dry seasons. Additionally, the stems are adapted differently depending on the environment such as availability of water, the soil texture, and the sloppiness of the region (Ben-Attia et al., 2016). For instance, plants that grow in soils with rich water are not as succulent as they do not have to store water for dry seasons. Additionally, those that grow in nutrient-rich soils are fleshier compared to those that grow in soils with fewer nutrients.
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The roots of the cereus plants are wide, webbed and spread widely to collect water and moisture. In most of the cereus plants, the roots spread as far as the height of the plant but remain close to the earth’s surface compared to another type of cacti (Franco et al., 2017). Most plants grow up to 6 inches below the ground while cereus plants like the saguaro rarely grow more than 3-4 feet deep (Irish, 2018). The roots are usually adapted to soils that dry out. For instance, when soils reach critically dry levels, cereus plants will start shedding the feeder roots. At this point, a biochemical shift occurs where the plants stop relying on moisture and water from roots from photosynthesis (Irish, 2018). Rather, the plants start using the reserved water and moisture stored in tissues until the rains are back where the roots regrow. This aspect explains the watering system for cereus grown at home. Inappropriate watering may cause the roots to rot; thus, individuals are always encouraged to leave the soils to dry up completely before watering is done over again.
Cereus plants have stems with areoles an important aspect of their survival in their environment. The aerobes are small light-to-dark colored bumps which bearer clusters of spines which offer protection for the plants. The areoles are also critical to the cereus plants for evolutionary modification and thus contribute to the diverse species known today (Eloi et al., 2017). The areoles give rise to the glochids and spines which are necessary for self-defense. Importantly, the spines are produced from the areoles and not directly from the stem making the plants efficient at covering itself using the spines. Essentially, the spines are usually produced in different forms depending on the needs of the plant (Franco et al., 2017). Besides the central spine, the areoles can produce smaller radial spines or hairy radial spines which offer secondary defense against smaller creatures that can get past the central spine.
Cereus plants reproduce by propagation; however, they require cross-fertilization for them to produce fruits. The plants are known to as nocturnal because their flowers are only opened at night and close during the day (Molly, 2018). As such, they cannot be pollinated by the normal pollinators like bees. Cereus plants usually have large flowers with assorted colors of yellow, green, purple, pink, and mostly white among other colors. Thus, their bright colors and large sizes which make it possible for the plants to be pollinated by nocturnal pollinators like bats and moths. Usually, the flowers have a strong fragrance and are about 6 inches in diameter with petals appearing at the top of petals that are about 6incles long (Molly, 2018). Usually, the stamens are exposed well at night. Importantly, the night blooming flowers of cereus usually reflect the moonlight making them to glows and attract the potential pollinators. The strong scent usually attracts the bats and moths to feed on the nectar. For the cereus plants cultivated, the use of hand pollination is critical for the successful production of fruits.
Cereus cacti can grow well in richer soils that are moister and grows well in areas that are not dry. However, those cereus cacti can adapt to dry seasons like summer and seasons of low water supply like in winter. Just like any other plant, cereus need soils that are high nutrients and their growth can also be determined by the xericbess and soil texture (Eloi et al., 2017). A study by Eloi et al. (2017) found a common association for three different species of columnar cacti in Northern Sonoran Desert. The different kinds of cereus dominate well in different kinds of soils depending on their molecular composition. Additionally, Franco et al. (2017), asserts that different climatic conditions explain the diversity in the shapes and types of cereus species. As such, cereus species help in analysis and understanding the biogeography.
Cereus plants require more water and thus higher reproduction happen in regions with higher volumes of water. For instance, the cereus Peruvians are which are grown for fruits in Israel show significant productivity near the coast as opposed to warm valleys and the cold Negev Highlands. In these regions, frost; with air temperatures declining to negative 70C damage the plants (Nobel & Bobich, 2002).
Cereuses have horticulture desirability from humans which endangers their existence. They are collected illegally for trade in the international market. Besides the aesthetic appeal, the plant is also desired globally for its ecological, societal, and economic significance. The plant is also used for food for both animals and humans and derivation of construction materials. Further, it is used for the production of cosmetics, oils, drugs, and traditional medicines. Columnar cacti are cultivated for fruit by human beings. Some the cereus cacti cultivated for fruits is widely grown in Mexico in areas close to their habitats. The habitat for stenocereus is semitropical with about 65% of summer and winter rains are about 400 to 800 mm per year (Nobel, & Bobich, 2002). In particular, the cereus peruvianus has been domesticated recently even though its origin is obscure. Cereus jamacarus originates from northeastern Brazil, and Cereus Uruguayans from Argentina are closely related. The two species are mostly used gardens in countries with subtropical and tropical climates. Additionally, the plants are grown in a small-scale commercial in Israel.
In sum, cereus plants are growing well in arid and semi-arid climatic conditions. They are well adapted to survive in these different climatic conditions. Additionally, the different genetic and molecular composition determines the adaptation measure for the various plants depending on their environment. The stem, the roots, the sharp spiny leaves, and the flowers are all adapted for growth, reproduction, and survival in their natural arid and semi-arid habitats.
References
Ben-Attia, M., Reinberg, A., Smolensky, M. H., Gadacha, W., Khedaier, A., Sani, M., ... & Boughamni, N. G. (2016). Blooming rhythms of cactus Cereus peruvianus with nocturnal peak at full moon during seasons of prolonged daytime photoperiod. Chronobiology international , 33 (4), 419-430.
Eloi, I. B. O., Lucena, A. L. M., Mangolin, C. A., & Machado, M. F. P. S. (2017). Genetic structure of phenotypic variants and somaclones of the genus Cereus (Cactaceae) as revealed by AFLP markers. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology , 92 (3), 325-333.
Franco, F. F., Silva, G. A. R., Moraes, E. M., Taylor, N., Zappi, D. C., Jojima, C. L., & Machado, M. C. (2017). Plio-Pleistocene diversification of Cereus (Cactaceae, Cereeae) and closely allied genera. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 183 (2), 199-210.
Irish, M., (2018). Cacti-Getting to the Point. Learn to grow. web
Molly, A., (2018). What Pollinates Night Blooming Cereus? Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pollinates-night-blooming-cereus-59442.html
Nobel, P. S., & Bobich, E. G. (2002). Environmental biology. Cacti: Biology and Uses , 57-74.
