 NEWTON, Ask A Scientist! Name: Amy Grade: N/A Location: N/A
Country: N/A Date: N/A  Why is a saguaro cactus not a tree?
Trees and shrubs are "woody."  A cactus is a type of "succulent"
or juicy, fleshy plant:   The following is an interesting fact
sheet for kids:   Anthony R. Brach, PhD Missouri Botanical
Garden c/o Harvard University Herbaria  In a word - Wood. Or
lack there of. Since the saguaro produces no lignin - the woody
material in wood - it is not a tree. Banana palms have the same
distinction. To a botanist - a plant which produces no lignin is
a herb. That means that a banana and a saguaro are herbs!!!??!!
Would you like herbs with your ice cream sundae?  Tennant Creek
Australia  Click here to return to the Botany Archives
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