According to cactus experts, when water grows so scarce that even the drought-resistant cacti are threatened, they call on a rare evolutionary protective process known as “root mobility.”
“Certain cactus species are able to produce new roots on one side of the plant, then releasing the corresponding root on the opposite side,” said Allen Green, USDA Cactologist. “This in effect allows them to migrate - actually move - across the ground, seeking a new source of moisture.”
Unfortunately, this moisture is often contained inside the human body. While normally a human can easily outpace a crawling cactus, Green has documented cases of campers in the desert being attacked by thirsty cactus plants. While this has not resulted in any fatalities, victims retain scars where the cactus roots worked their way under the skin into the bladder.
“It isn’t pretty, and can be very uncomfortable.”
Green recommends not leaving children or the elderly outside on hot days, as they are especially at risk due to their relative immobility.
Cacti are notoriously hard to kill. It not as simple as hacking through the spines until you reach and sever the roots. If you toss aside a cactus pad - or nopalito - in a few days it will develop roots and start a new plant. Like the mythical hydra, chopping off a head just creates two new ones.
What do experts recommend?
“Well, we don’t have many choices,” Green said. “Either we get some rain, or consider moving inside the Arctic Circle. They don’t have cactus there, just rogue seals.”
No comments:
Post a Comment