| Keyword |
Description |
| Species |
A group of living things that are similar and can have babies together that can also grow up and have babies |
| Germination |
The process in which a seed starts to grow into a new plant |
| Endangered |
A type of animal or plant that is at very high risk of disappearing forever (extinction) if the threats it faces are not reduced or stopped |
For a long time, acitrón was a common sweet in Mexican food, especially in Rosca de Reyes and other traditional dishes. This candy is made from a special cactus called biznaga barril de acitrón, which grows very slowly and lives in dry parts of Mexico. People have cut so many of these cacti to make acitrón that the plant is now in danger of disappearing in the wild, so since 2005 it has been listed as a protected species by Mexican law. Even though the fruit used for acitrón is cheap in the market, it actually comes from a cactus that can take many years, or even centuries, to grow.
Scientist María del Rocío Azcárraga from UNAM saw this problem and decided to help. In 2015, she started working on a technique to make the seeds of the barrel cactus germinate faster, so new plants can grow more quickly. Now, the botanical garden at FES Cuautitlán has over 1,500 young cacti, some already eight years old, waiting to be big and strong enough to return to their natural homes. To survive in the wild, they must reach about 20 centimeters in height so that their spines can protect them from animals that might eat them, which will still take several more years.
While scientists work to save the cactus, people are asked not to buy Roscas de Reyes that contain acitrón, because selling it is against the law in Mexico. Bakers can use other ingredients like fruit paste (ate) or crystallized pineapple and cherries, which do not harm endangered plants. Changing this part of the tradition helps protect Mexico’s dry ecosystems and shows that celebrations can be kind to nature, too. If more people choose these alternatives, the barrel cactus will have a better chance to recover and may someday return in a sustainable way to Mexican kitchens.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Common |
Común |
| Protected species |
Especies protegidas |
| Ingredient |
Ingrediente |
Time to discuss
- Is it okay to change a tradition if it hurts nature?
- Would you eat a different Rosca de Reyes to help protect a cactus?
- Should stores stop selling products that come from endangered plants?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Explain how young people can help protect endangered plants in their community.
- Describe how you would feel if a favorite holiday food had to change to protect nature.
