✨The magical world of Cacti🌵

Did you know that there is a Thanksgiving Cactus? I sure didn't!
Here is a picture of it for you!

The word cactus derives from the greek word κάκτος (káktos). Cacti occur in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Many smaller cacti have globe-shaped stems, like the smallest cacti, called Blossfeldia liliputiana which is only about only about 1 cm in diameter at maturity. On the other hand, the tallest cactus is the free-standing Pachycereus pringlei, with a maximum recorded height of 19.2m.🤯
Just imagine these two next to each other!
I always thought cacti have thorns, but as I was looking them up on Wikipedia, it turned out I was wrong.
Botanically, "spines" are distinguished from "thorns": spines are modified leaves, and thorns are modified branches. Cacti produce spines, always from areoles (which are a kind of highly reduced branch).
As well as spines, areoles give rise to flowers, which are usually tubular and multipetaled.🌸
I would love to copy-paste some more from the original site, alas it would be meaningless since there will be a link for curious minds for more at the bottom.⏬⏬⏬

Here are some fun cacti facts!🧐

• The spines of the largest specimens were previously used as gramophone needles.🎼
• You can eat some cactus and you can even make drink from them!🍹
• The spines are weapons, sun protection, drinking straw and coat.🗡🌞