Barrel Cactus
Facts:
- Barrel cactus has one of the highest
thermal tolerances of all plants
- Is capable of regulating its
temperature
despite
high
temperature Fluctuations
- Store water and operate
receptacles
core
daily
as living water
- Stored water delivers nutrients and serve as
a heat sink absorbing and distributing
thermal load
- Has an exterior layer with self- shading
spines , a high surface to circumference
ratio and a liquid thermal mass
Barrel Cactus
visual “features” of a cactus are actually “adaptations” to survival.
-
Water control in flood and drought area
Water collection
Erosion control
Water storage
Spatial organization
Packaging
Flexible membranes
Transportation system
Water and energy conservation
Dormant system
Energy harvesting
Waterproofing
Water storing
chamber has
greatest volume to
surface ratio in planet
Can increase
volume by
expanding surface
to store water
As it dries up volume
id decreased by
contracting surface
Overall shape
- Maximum volume for
water storage
- Not having leaves or
branches reduces
surface area.
Minimizing water loss
through transpiration
Shallow root system
captures rain water
before evaporation
Grows toward sun and
south
Top of cactus is
covered with light
reflective fuzz
reducing sun
exposure
Referred to as compass
cactus
Cactus bend toward
south because the
northern facing side grows
faster since its in the
shade