Geraldine Yellowhair wrote:

what is a cactus?

1. Any plant in the family Cactaccae, generally native to the
western hemisphere. Sunset describes them as succulents, generally
leafless, with with herbaceous stems modified into cylinders or
pads that store water. Most (but not all) species have spines to
protect them against animals that would eat them to obtain the
stored moisture.

2. A most remarkable plant. "Cactus" is derived from "kacht es",
medieval high German for "it craps".

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David E. Ross
http://www.rossde.com/

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