An amplified cactus is a cactus plant used as a musical instrument. It harnesses the acoustic properties of a cactus (preferably a Denmoza or Geohintonia)[clarification needed], by applying contact microphones and amplifying their projection and tone.[1] The effect is somewhat ethereal, making it a suitable genre over which modern dance might be choreographed. Vivien Schweitzer of The New York Times reports “Jason Treuting played an amplified cactus, running his hand over the plant’s unfriendly spikes to produce an alluring sound like a babbling brook