Saguaro Cactus

Vocabulary

spiny

Part of Speech: adjective

Syllables: 2 (spi/ny)

Definition: covered with

thorns or needles; syn.

sharp

A porcupine’s spiny quills

keep enemies away.

decomposes

Part of Speech: verb (present

tense)

Syllables: 4 (de/com/pos/es)

Definition: decays; rots

A pile of fallen leaves

decomposes and becomes part

of the soil.

topplePart of Speech: verb

(present tense)

Syllables: 2 (top/ple)

Definition: fall over or be

pushed over

My brother likes to play Jenga

unless he is the one to

topple the tower of blocks.

brush

Part of Speech: noun

Syllables: 1 (brush)

Definition: small trees and

shrubs

The young deer leapt over

rocks and brush as it ran.

habitat

Part of Speech: noun

Syllables: 3 (hab/i/tat)

Definition: natural home of a

plant or an animal

A pond is a habitat for many

kinds of plants, animals, and

insects.

teeming

Part of Speech: verb

Syllables: 2 (teem/ing)

Definition: to be very

full; syn. overflowing

The rainforest is

teeming with animals.

perchPart of Speech: verb (present

tense)

Syllables: 1 (perch)

Definition: to sit or settle on a

high spot

The bird was about to perch on

the tree branch.

nectar

Part of Speech: noun

Syllables: 2 (nec/tar)

Definition: a sweet liquid

found in flowers.

The bee drank nectar from

the flower.