Frances Morgan,. Age 10, Of Fredericton, NB Canada, for her question:

Where does the christmas cactus grow?

The christmas cactus is a native of the pampas lands of South America. Its common name is the crab cactus, perhaps because its spiny greenery reminds one of the claws of a crusty crab. At certain seasons, the crab cactus breaks into bloom, and it may be covered with a host of cheerful red blossoms.

The greenery of the cactus plants may look like fleshy leaves. But this is not so. It is actually the swollen stems of the plant. The plant tissues contain pockets for storing water through the drought seasons of the desert climate.