What is Pachycereus?
Pachycereus is a genus of column cactus in the Cactaceae family. It is originally from the southwestern US, Mexico and Central America. One species, Pachycereus Pringlei is the highest and most difficult cactus in the world. It is an important source of food for bats and other animals. After developing for thousands of years to survive hard desert conditions, these cacasts are endangered by human activities. The protruding from the main strain are numerous vertical branches that can expand to 5 feet (1.5 meters) across. Pachycereus benefits the resistant zone of 9-10 in the US Ministry of Agriculture, which means that the lowest temperature is an acceptable temperature of 20 ° -30 ° Fahrenheit (-6.6 ° to -1.1 ° Celsius). p. Pringlei grows preferably in rich soil with a pH-level from 6,1-7,8, ie slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Pachcereus have a shallow root system and vertical ribs that expand and withdraw according to how much water the plant must store. p. Pringlei can store in the trunk knowston than a ton of water.
At the end of spring to the beginning of summer, Pachycereus produces white flowers in the shape of a bell towards the peaks of branches, usually on the southern exhibition. These flowers open late afternoon and do not close until the second morning. They produce a large number of nectar. At the end of summer, these cacasts produce round, prickly fruits.
bats and Pachycereus are interdependent. During their southern migration, bats feed on cactus nectar. Cacti rely on a bat for cross pollination. As the bat feeds deep inside the flower, the pollen holds his hair. Another cactus is pollinated when the bat feeds again.
During the late summer, bats return from the winter neighborhoods when Pachycereus produces fruit. Bats and birds eat both fruit and some of its 800 seeds. The cactus depends on the digestive juices of the animals to soften its outer seeds. SoftenedThe seed coat allows germination as soon as it went from the animal's body. The provision of one surviving cactus takes about 1,000 germinating seeds.
people represent the greatest threat to Pachycereus . The primary problem facing these cacti is clear to relax the path for agricultural land and excessive pastures. Research is underway to learn more about the mutually profitable relationship between this species and the desert wilderness and what the loss of the cactus for the ecosystem would mean.