Cactales

/kækˈteɪliːz/ noun

Definition

A taxonomic order of flowering plants that includes cacti and related families.

Etymology

From Latin 'cactus' with the Linnaean suffix '-ales' used to denote a plant order in scientific classification. This formal naming system was developed by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century.

Kelly Says

Cactales represents one of the most successful plant orders on Earth—over 2,000 species strong, mostly from the Americas, yet a single species (prickly pear) has naturalized across the Mediterranean and North Africa. Talk about a global invader!

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