One industrial plant that often gets false for a cactus is the Euphorbia . Euphorbias are a diverse radical of plant that can be found all over the humankind , but many originated in Africa . They have a similar appearance to cacti with their spiky , succulent stem , but they are not true cacti .
One cause why Euphorbias are often confound with cacti is because they have evolved similar adaptations to hold out in arid and desert - like environment . These adaptations include thick-skulled , fleshy stem that store water , which gives them a cactus - similar appearance . Additionally , many Euphorbias have small leafage that are either absent or reduced to spine , further adding to the resemblance to cacti .
However , there are some key differences between Euphorbias and cacti that can serve differentiate them . first , Euphorbias belong to to the menage Euphorbiaceae , while cacti go to the family Cactaceae . Secondly , Euphorbias grow a milklike sap that can be toxic and irritating to the cutis , whereas cacti do not have this sap . It ’s important to be cautious when handling Euphorbias to void any link with the sap .
Another differentiate feature of speech of Euphorbias is their peak . While cacti bring out showy , often brightly colored flowers , Euphorbias typically have modest , inconspicuous flowers that are often surround by coloured bracts . These bract can be mistaken for petal , but they are really modified leaves . The flowers of Euphorbias are usually green or yellowish and lack the vibrant colour often associated with cacti blossom .
Some common examples of Euphorbias that resemble cacti admit the Crown of Thorns ( Euphorbia milii ) and the Pencil Cactus ( Euphorbia tirucalli ) . The Crown of Thorns has long , spiny stems and colorful bracts that wall its pocket-size flowers . It is often grown as a houseplant or in gardens with a tropical or desert theme . The Pencil Cactus , as the name suggests , has pencil - like immature stanch that can grow quite tall . It is a popular choice for xeriscaping and can be grown in teetotal , sandy soils .
In my personal experience as a gardener , I have encountered many illustration where people mistake Euphorbias for cacti . It can be understandable since they share similar characteristics and are often discover in interchangeable environs . However , it ’s important to educate oneself about the different plant family and their unique characteristic to accurately identify and care for these plants .
To summarize , Euphorbias are a group of plants that often resemble cacti with their spiky , succulent stems . They have evolved similar adaptation to survive in dry environments , but they are not true cacti . Euphorbias belong to to the fellowship Euphorbiaceae and have distinct features such as milky sap , invisible flowers surrounded by colourful bracts , and a wide mountain chain of species that originate from various part of the human beings . It ’s always fascinating to explore the diversity of plant life and determine about their unique characteristics .
Caroline Bates
