1. Saguaro Cactus Vocabulary

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. topple Part 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.

5. brush Part of Speech: noun Syllables: 1 (brush) Definition: small trees and shrubs The young deer leapt over rocks and brush as it ran.

6. 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.

7. teeming Part of Speech: verb Syllables: 2 (teem/ing) Definition: to be very full; syn. overflowing The rainforest is teeming with animals.

8. perch Part 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.

9. nectar Part of Speech: noun Syllables: 2 (nec/tar) Definition: a sweet liquid found in flowers. The bee drank nectar from the flower.