Definition: The word "cactus" is a plant species that belongs to the family Poaceae (the genus Cactaceae). It is native to South America, where it has been found growing in deserts, hot deserts, arid regions, and sometimes on rocky slopes. Cactus plants are known for their distinctive characteristic of having no leaves, flowers or fruits. They grow upright like a cactus, with spines running along the stem. The stems usually have three to five small, needle-like thorns at the ends of each leaf. The main reason why people often refer to these plant species as "cacti" is that they are adapted to living in extreme conditions such as high altitudes and dry environments. In desert regions, cacti can be found growing on rocky slopes or even along river banks. They also have a unique ability to conserve water by limiting the amount of water absorbed by their leaves. However, it's important to note that these plants are not all alike - there is diversity among species in the family Poaceae due to genetic and environmental factors. Some cacti have distinctive features such as green or brown flowers, while others produce smaller fruits with fewer spines or no spines at all.

Cactus