The full name of the desert plant we’ll consider today is compass barrel cactus. It grows in the low deserts of Arizona and California. Full-grown at about 25 years, this barrel-shaped cactus may measure five feet tall and about two feet wide. The “compass” part of its name comes from the fact that it always grows leaning toward the south. Knowing this has helped many a hiker who has been lost without a compass.
Because of the “barrel” part of its name, some think it must be full of water, but it was given this name mostly because of its shape. However, it actually does store water in rainy weather and the whole plant swells. Then in dry hot weather it will draw on this supply, as arranged by the Creator. If the top of a barrel cactus is sliced off, several quarts of water can be gotten from mashing the pulp inside. This has saved the lives of thirsty travelers lost in the desert.
In spite of the hot summers in the desert, there is always some dew in the air at night. The cactus, leaning over, has sharp-pointed spines arranged in rows all over it. These not only provide some shade from the hot sun, but the nighttime dew forms drops of water on them. These drops fall to the ground, seeping in to provide moisture for the roots.
The sharp spines also protect the cactus from the teeth of large desert animals. However, there are others, such as rabbits, that with their small mouths can gently nibble on the spines and get a little moisture for their thirst without damaging the plant.
Like its relatives, the giant saguaros, organ-pipe cactus and others, the roots of the barrel cactus have been designed by the Creator to store water when heavy winter rains come. Then in spring the cactus produces very pretty yellow blossoms on the top.
Many people think deserts are horrible places, but they are actually full of many varieties of plants, trees and flowers, as well as interesting birds and animals that have been placed there by their wise Creator. He took delight in every part of His creation. At the end of each of the six days detailed in the first chapter of the Bible we read, “And God saw that it was good.”
When we look closely at the innumerable, marvelous things around us, how good it is to remember what God’s Word, the Bible, tells us: “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven [the sky], and that are in earth . . . all things were created by Him, and for Him.” Colossians 1:1616For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16). We can fully trust God’s Word and believe the Bible’s account of creation rather than man’s ideas.
ML-08/15/1993