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[thedailycactus-blog]

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[muhammadsyamsu]

Lessons from Nature

#CHAPTER 1   

The Wise Cactus    

Have you ever seen the fierce cactus standing firmly in the middle of deserted land yet has colorful flower? They are not only tenacious but also generous

Living in the very limited source of nutrients and even scarcity of water might cause cactus look furious. What to expect from the fiercely abandoned plants which have sharp spines growing in the center of harsh land? This may come across our minds when we start to portray this creature. The appearance is often underestimated by those who are only attached by something appealing at the first sight, and for this plant nothing left than discrimination by the outlook judge. However, if we take a closer look to different perspective, we may find that cactus are not only efficient plants but also wise.

How come this leafless plant with shallow roots can cope with unsupported environment while others suffering to death? Equipped with thick and wax covering skin as well as very efficient water absorbing roots turns this plant into the king of dessert. Instead of having leaves this plant has chosen to have spines to prevent the water from quick evaporation as well as to protect themselves from external threats.This definitely can benefit for the cactus survival but as implication they perform unpleasant structure. 

When we imagine as if cactus can freely set their appearance they may choose the more beautiful one, with large and fresh leaves instead of spines and or maybe with strong woody trunks over the monotonous and waxy body. But what happens when they choose those displays? They will never survive to grow in the deserted land since beauty without remarkable functions is useless and eventually can lead them to the extinction. In fact we will never see that case happens because reasons to live and survive overweigh the importance of good-looking aspect. The fate for this plant has been set through their DNA and they have wisely chosen this beast-like-appearance by the process of evolution over the beautiful outlook. Thus they can sustain their life for long period of time when most of other plants fail to adapt against the hot climate.

Despite their highly resistance against the hot and dry weather, some cactus species can bear beautiful and vibrant flower. Maybe we have never expected the gorgeous flowers have risen from the upper spiny part of this beast. But we cannot deny it. The flowers blossom with different petal colors and most of them are very attractive. At least for such pollinators as hummingbirds, bees, or bats, it’s something that they can never avoid of.

At first, we may never think that the monster does give benefits for the neighbored animal surrounding it, while they themselves keep fasting for almost of their entire life due to the devastated condition. 

However, despite of efficiently retaining and saving the limited nutrients for their own, apparently cactus also produce the dense and scented nectar-producing flower as gifts for the starving pollinators which alight on them. How come this happens to the xerophitic plants which has long-period of dormancies over growing phase can give the advantages for others? 

This is the second wise path chosen by the generous beast. It is true that cactus extensively absorb and retain the nutrients for their growth, but once the “thanksgiving-day” come, they never forget the surrounding. They do realize that the place where they standing right now is not fully belong to them. At least it is also owned by thousands species of flower depended pollinators which are ready to suck their sweet nectar. It seems that the judged spiny cactus has more conscience than we have ever thought. In the end the generous cactus will never neglect the term of “give-and-take”. 

Whoever grows the plant, surely they will harvest the yield. This statement is unexceptionally applicable for the cactus life. These plants exactly know when they give something useful for the pollinators, someday they will get for sure something more in return. Nature always keeps the harmony among its components. Unrealized bees accidently stick the pollens from the stigma of one cactus’ flower to their bodies and then carry them away toward destined mates. Those pollens finally meet their neighbored partner and eventually a favorable pollination occurs. This leads to the rise of new born generation of cactus for the mother cacti and life surely continues with an escalated survival rate. 

Once more, there is nothing wrong with spiny cactus. If there is any, it ‘s maybe only in our perspective. Instead of thinking about the ferocity of cactus why don’t we try to look at their generosity? Because they still perform the beauty and indeed they are also true philanthropists. Rather than underestimating upon the creature why don’t we take good lessons from it?

Bandung, 12 January 2017

-MSR-