Cactus

Cactus Cultivation and Its Role in Fire Resistance

#OurFarmers #Municipalities — Plant more cactus, as it serves as a natural fire barrier.

The cactus tree (prickly pear) has many benefits and is an ancient, native species in our region. In addition to being a source of nutritious fruit rich in minerals—and despite its commercial value having received little support or attention—our ancestors planted it along the edges of their lands, sometimes as natural fences around cultivated fields. Most importantly, they discovered its ability to act as a fire barrier in forested areas. The plant’s water-storing tissues, protected by a waxy layer that reduces evaporation, give it remarkable drought resistance and make it far more capable than most other species of withstanding wildfires. Plant more of it.