Houseplant botany 3

28th December 2021

Sometimes evolution means that modifications like sharp spines are not enough for desert cacti to protect themselves - the spines are further modified into short bristle-like prickles called 'glochidia' which have barbed tips. These detach easily from the cactus and lodge in the skin of anything foolhardy enough to browse on plants like Opuntia. Handle with care - if you are moving or repotting these, wrap newspaper round the cactus body to avoid the barbs.