Cactus! An oasis in the desert.

In this botanical garden I found a cactus patch; these spiny 'succulents' are originally native to desert regions of the world. The Sahara borders many African countries and is the largest desert in the world. Other deserts include the Thar, Namib, Patagonian, Great Basin, Danakil and more, including the rainforests. These are home to these strange looking plants that have adapted to dry and hot conditions. Their roots do not go too deep into the soil, so they can quickly soak up rainwater and store it to survive during droughts. Most have edible fruits and some have flesh that can be eaten if prepared properly, but contrary to popular myth, there are a large number of cacti that are unpleasant and even poisonous to humans if ingested. They are definitely not emergency store houses of water for the thirsty, dehydrated and stranded Traveller in the desert!