POS LB 242 14

This Chilean cactus Eriosyce aurata can grow to almost a metre in height and half a metre across. Its longitudinal ribs are heavily armed with coarse, curved spines, as shown here. The spines in cacti help them survive desert environments by providing protection to deter predators; the spines are extremely sharp and can inflict serious injury if an animal attempts to eat any part of the cactus.