Compare and Contrast: Sonoran Desert Cacti
Collecting Data and Making Observations:
Cylindrical
Columnar
Segmented
Observations/Characteristics
A hedgehog cacti is considered a
cylindrical shape. They are
considered as one of the first cacti to
bloom in spring with bright-colored
flowers. They have spines that are
normally brown and 2-3 inches long.
The Senita cactus is categorized
under the columnar shape. It grows
up to 15 ft tall. During the spring it
blooms a pale pink flower on the
upper stem of the plant.
The chain fruit cholla is a shrubby
cactus that looks like a tree. It is
considered under the segmented
category because of its drooping
branches that are covered with
sharp pines. It is the largest cacti in
the cholla family.
What cacti fit in this category?
hedgehog cacti
Senita Cactus
The chain fruit cholla
What adaptations do these cacti
have?
The hedgehog cacti has
sharp spines
that cover the entire cacti as its
primary defense and its shield from
the heat of the sun.
The Senita cactus has the ability to
store water and prepare for
droughts.
The spines prevent water loss by
transpiration.
Compare and Contrast:
Compare (Similarities)
Contrast (Differences)
Cylindrical vs Columnar
Columnar trees and cylindrical trees tend to be
narrow and grow upright.
Columnar can grow as tall as a tree and a
Cylindrical grows under five feet tall.
Columnar vs Segmented
Columnar and segmented are similar because
they both grow like a tree.
Columnar grows straight like columns and
Segmented grows shrubby.
Segmented vs Cylindrical
Segmented and cylindrical trees have large/
sharp spines.
Cylindrical trees are under five ft tall and
Segmented trees are tall as a tree.
