The Plant That Mimics an Animal!

The course I'm taking is called Bioneers 101, where we learn on how plants and animals give so much to humans, and that we aren't as evolved as plants or animals. We had find a plant and research it and see the cool features that humans don't have built in their DNA. The purpose of this was to find the Fibonacci sequence and see how we could take the design of the plant and see what we could do or make from that design. I'm proud of my plant that I chose was, because it is a very interesting plant that is not known by many people, it is called the "Hedgehog Cactus". I learned that this amazing plant does not use the Fibonacci sequence it uses the opposite of that, it's called the Lucas number sequence.

                                 Daveynin "Hedgehog Cactus In Bloom" April 10, 2013, California U.S

The cactus I'm researching is called the Hedgehog cactus, which gets its name from the hedgehog because it resembles the spiny stems. There are many different different types of hedgehog cactus, the one I am researching is called Echinocereus engelmannii. This cactus has long spikes that are skinny, unlike many which have short spikes. This cactus can be found in the southwestern US, usually near or against rock formations. This cactus has a flower and can grow berry like fruit, the flower can change colors depending on if the berry or fruit is ripe or not. It also has a wax coat to protect it from the sun, so that the water that collected is not dried up from the heat. On cooler days the cactus opens up its pores to do a oxygen and carbon dioxide "exchange". Also instead of a normal plant using the Fibonacci sequence (0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55...) it uses the opposite, its called the Lucas number sequence (2,1,3,4,7,11,18,29,47,76,123...), which instead of going outwards it goes inward to keep itself safe from the heat.

 

 

 

                                                   NVA, "Hedgehog Cactus Top View", 11-11-13, Chicago, IL


From these different feature humans can learn a lot and can use these ideas to make new things without using so many resources. One thing we can learn is different ways to protect are selves from harsh weather and use that to collect more water. What I mean is that the cactus protects itself from the body being in the ground more it can collects more when it rains. Also the wax protects it from the water evaporating really fast on hot days, which could help us keep something safe and cool. Going off of what I said about the Lucas numbers we could use that sequence to protect resources that are low and protect them from going away and getting worn out.

What we could do from these ideas is make new things, what we could do is make a more natural way of a refrigerator like putting taking a metal garbage can and put it in the ground half way and put ice in it to make it cool, this way when it is really hot on summer days and the electricity goes out we have a way to keep the food and drinks cool and safe, also putting a wax coat on it so the sun cant effect the temperature as much. Or if that doesn't work, what we could do from these is make a water new rain water collector, but one that can make the water go to a faucet to use. We could also use the Lucas number sequence to make a small/closed in so it something can stay warm in the day or night, something like an igloo but one that is made of brick or mud that can store heat better.

In conclusion, we can learn a lot from not just this plant itself but many other plants. Nature is always ahead of us and we need to learn how she makes these plants and what features can help us make different ideas to create new and better inventions.

REFERENCES:

"Characteristics of the Hedgehog Cactus" Tamiya King, Ehow, 2013
"Characteristics of the Hedgehog Cactus" Kent Page McGroaty, SFGate, n.d.
"Hedgehog Cactus" Drue Tibbits, SFGate, n.d.
"Lucas Number" n.p. Wikipedia, n.d.
"Echinocereus Engelmannii" n.p. Wikipedia, April 3, 2013
"Cactus Type Category" n.p. Cactusbylin, n.d.