Lava Cactus

Lava Cactus (Brachycereus nesioticus)
Santiago Island, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
ECUADOR. South America
This plant grows in the arid zone which consists of lava, ash and cinder and where only plants able to exist with little moisture can survive. Here temperatures soar up to 30 degrees Celcius. A high proportion of endemic plants have evolved under these harsh conditions in this zone. The lava cactus is a slow-growing herb which creates its own humus from dead cylindrical stems. It is a typical 'pioneer' plant that grows on barren lava flows.
ENDEMIC TO GALAPAGOS

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Filename: 1G8061_Lava_Cactus.jpg
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Image Size: 5575x3703 / 12.2MB; Brachycereus nesioticus Ecuador Endemic Galapagos Galapagos Islands Islands Lava Lava Cactus Ocean Pioneer plant Santiago Island South America
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Lava Cactus (Brachycereus nesioticus)<br />
Santiago Island, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS<br />
ECUADOR. South America<br />
This plant grows in the arid zone which consists of lava, ash and cinder and where only plants able to exist with little moisture can survive. Here temperatures soar up to 30 degrees Celcius. A high proportion of endemic plants have evolved under these harsh conditions in this zone. The lava cactus is a slow-growing herb which creates its own humus from dead cylindrical stems. It is a typical 'pioneer' plant that grows on barren lava flows.<br />
ENDEMIC TO GALAPAGOS