The plant in the photograph below is gazing a sweet smile.

Image Source

Yes, the smile is real. But, what could be the reason for this cactus to be happy. Continue reading and you will find. Actually, this wasn’t the original physical formation of  this Saguaro cactus. The transformation may have been caused by the following: (1) Inoculation which is a method where any kind of substance or vaccine is put into the body in order to create resistance to a particular disease. (2) It may caused by a develop new cell wall formation without obvious nuclear division or they call it mutation. (3) It maybe a fungal caused infection.

Saguaro National Park in Arizona and the Sonoran Desert are recent phenomenon of cactus family. The Saguaro and Cardon are the giant species of this family, where they could live 200 years and towered 60-70 feet. The colonization and hybridization is on its evolutionary scale. But why cactus loves to grow in the desert, where rainfall is minimal?

Let us take a look at their physical structure 

 
Image Source

Cacti are classified as Xerophytes structurally adapted to grow in very dry condition.They are succulent plant with oval pads and pleated trunks which are designed to seize windfalls of moisture. The pleats allow the plant to expand and contract as the rainy season gives way to long dry spells. They can actually swells up to 15 percent beyond its original diameter. Up to 95 percent of many cacti’s total volume is water which is stored in a thickened mucilaginous substance that decreases evaporation.

How could they manufacture food without losing water?

Image Source

The cactus spines are modified leaves that protect them from being eaten and serve to break up sun’s rays. Food manufacturing does not takes place on the leaves rather cacti have skin pores called stomata which are only open at night that keeps evaporation to a minimum. Carbon dioxide and water for the day’s photosynthesizing is gathered then and stored for the day. Some cacti can sustain 60-70 percent moisture  loss without damage and can survive up to 2 two years without rainfall.

Aside from being a spectacular view that attracts visitor to the place cactus has more significant use especially to the early people of Baja.

 
Image Source

The fruit of  the organ pipe cactus were once a staple food for the Indians. Prickly pear cactus fruit is now the most common cactus fruit we find in the market. The flavor depends on the variety but include strawberries, water melons, figs, bananas or citrus. They can be eaten raw at roam temperature or chilled. You can cooked into jams. They could be dried and ground into flour and use as flavoring in baking cakes.

 Though cactus can carry abundant water  they are not efficient source of water for souls dying of thirst in the desert.

Image Source

Barrel cacti for example, do not give water but an astringent, a greenish-yellow jelly-like sap called mucilage. Take note, to drink this bitter alkaline fluid would likely result in vomiting and dehydration.

The world of cactus has its own “pit bull”

Image Source

This is the jumping cholla. It is thickly covered with long, barbed spines that pierce skin at the slightest pressure and hold past. They attack like sea urchin and don’t ever use your fingers to pluck off spines it merely results in stabbed digits rather use a tweezers.

They have beauties too

Image Source

This cactus rosette resembles a pretty rose. Their petal details are much similar to a rose petal.  If you fancy a green rose, cactus rosette is perfectly fit to substitute. The cactus rosette are domestically grown.

Finally, is there a reason for the cactus to smile? Actually, they have. Not just smiling they  clap as well.

Image Source

This photograph is a side shot of the smiling one.

Yes they have reason to be joyful because they knew even a year of no rainfall they can survive.