But apart from the consumption side of it, this spiky plant has become a major tourist attraction in Morocco, raking in millions of dollars every year from local and international tourists. At Cactus Thiemann, one of the largest cactus plantations in Africa, tourists from all corners of the world have found a perfect spot for their nature cruises and sightseeing. Cactus for BeautyThe ranch was established in the mid-1960s by a German agricultural engineer, whose family was known for their long-held passion for the spiky plant. With him, Thiemann brought an assortment of cactus specimens to Morocco, most of which still exist up to today. For so long, the cactus plant has been largely overlooked by scientists perhaps due to its scary appearance.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 20, 2017 13:41 UTC