ROOT SYSTEM OF THE CACTUS 



Two mature plants of Opitntia floccosa on the rim of a gully. One of them has fallen into the 

 gully but remains suspended by its strong tap-root. 1 he root system of a cactus on the 

 high Andean plateau must go deep into the earth, not only to get what little moisture 

 there may be, but to anchor the plant firmly and prevent it from being blown out of 

 the ground. (Fig. 4.) 



