This article is part of my 2019 Cameron Highlands trip series.
Cactus Valley (仙人掌花园) is a popular attraction in Brinchang. It is located on the way to Big Red Strawberry Farm. The admission fee to Cactus Valley is RM5.00 for adults and RM3.00 for children.
As the name implies, Cactus Valley features a large collection of cacti (plural for “cactus”). However, to call it a “valley” is a misnomer: Cactus Valley is actually perched on a hill.
Cacti come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The stems can store lots of water. Some of the plants are even taller than humans!
While many cactus species are tall and slender, some have globe-shaped stems. Having a round shape allows the plant to minimize surface area, which reduces water loss.
Cacti are native to the Americas. Various species can be found from Canada to Chile. Some are even found in the Atacama Desert (Chile) and Sonoran Desert (United States)!
All cactus species have adapted to conserve water for long periods of drought. They are also able to absorb water quickly when it rains.
Cacti do not have leaves. Instead, they are covered with needle-like spines. Spines help to reduce water loss and provide some protection against herbivores.
Cactus flowers are usually red or yellow in color. The flowers of some species are quite prominent.
Cacti are often used as ornamental plants. The fruits of some species can be eaten. An example of such fruits is pitaya (dragon fruit).
Besides cacti, Cactus Valley has a variety of flowers too. The plants are grown in hedges along the hill terraces.
Fuchsia is a popular garden plant as it requires a minimal amount of care. The flowers have white petals and pink sepals.
Before exiting the Cactus Valley, visitors have the opportunity to purchase some cactus plants as souvenirs. Since cacti need very little watering, they make excellent houseplants.
Considering the sheer number of cacti on display, Cactus Valley is certainly worth a trip. However if you are visiting with children, be sure that they do not get pricked by spines.
