By: Markie Garrison INTRODUCTION: Hi! I am going to introduce you to the fish hook cactus! This cactus, which is most commonly found in the Sonoran Desert, is small and round! It has long spines that look like fish hooks, which is how it got its name. This cactus, like others, survives through photosynthesis. In the early summer, red and purple flowers begin to grow from the side of the cactus and can grow to be as large as the cactus itself! The fish hook cactus reproduces by seed. Many cacti lean towards the sun as they grow. As soon as you have learned everything about the fish hook cactus, do the quiz and the awesome activity! WHO AM I?
Fishhook cactus is under the genus category, Mammillaria. This genus is one of the largest of the cactus family. It has nearly 200 species, including the fishhook cactus. Fishhook Cactus is the general name for the group of small, rounded cactus that mostly grow to about 3-4 inches tall by 3-inches wide. This type of cactus is called so because of the long spines that look like fishhooks. 
WHERE DO I LIVE?
In the wild, all but a few of the species are endemic to (only found in) Mexico. A handful of species reach up into the bordering United States and only a couple species find their way down through Central America and Northern South America as well as the islands of the Caribbean. Seven species of fishhook cactus occur in Nevada. WHAT DO I EAT?
The cactus is a plant and does not eat, but rather soaks up the water from the ground to continue to grow. I survive through photosynthesis. HOW DO I LOOK?
Fishhook Cactus (Mammillaria tetrancistra) is a small, mound-shaped cactus with short, thin white spines that nearly cover the plant plus longer, darker, fish-hook shaped spines that stand out from the body of the plant. In early summer, red to lavender flowers emerge from the side of the stem that are nearly as large as the entire plant.  The fishhook cactus reproduces by seed. Flowers, fruit, and seeds help the cactus multiply. Only one or two seeds will live to make a new cactus. Some cacti have stems that break. The stem falls to the ground. The stems grows in the soil and start a new plant. Most cacti grow very slowly. They can live 50 to 200 years. I reproduce through pollination. FUN FACTS ABOUT ME!
Many cacti lean further toward the sun as they grow. Some may eventually uproot themselves. NOW LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!
Kindergarteners: Use the Internet to find a cool picture of me. Print the picture, cut it out, and glue it into your journal. Below the picture, write your favorite thing you learned about me!
1st and 2nd graders: Use the Internet to find a cool picture of me. Print the picture, cut it out, and glue in into your journal. Below the picture, write 2-3 sentences about me!
3rd graders: Use the Internet to find a picture of me. Print the picture, cut it out, and glue it into your journal. Below the picture write a one-paragraph, fictional story about me!
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ME BELOW: Common Fishhook Cactus (Mammillaria tetrancistra) Desert Plants - Fishhook Cactus Cacti Guide |