If you’ve ever wondered, What adaptations do cacti have? We tell you that over time, they have evolved to become immune to the damage caused by the sun’s rays, among other things.
Cacti are usually a fascinating species because on many occasions, it is quite an enigma to know how they survive in extreme heat conditions, and also, how their spines have appeared.
If you want to know what the fruits of the cactus are and how you can take advantage of them or know the transformations and why these plants have taken the benefits that you usually know, then we will tell you everything:
Where do cacti live and what adaptations do they have?
The first answer seems obvious. Although they have always lived in deserts and arid lands, their ability to adapt to any environment has meant that today they can live in cold climates and are part of the decoration of homes. Among the most important adaptations are the colonization of arid spaces without many nutrients for their subsistence and the cylindrical, round or vertical formations that they have to be able to store liquids for a longer time.
What adaptations do cacti have in their body?
The cylindrical thickening occurred in cacti because they live in very dry ecosystems. For this reason, they developed an ideal corpulence to store as much water as possible in their stems. The spines of these plants appear in their evolution to reduce the evaporation of water and incidentally, to defend themselves from the attack of animals that would like to extract the liquid from it. Another important adaptation is that of pubescence (appearance of hair) that has served to form a protective film against the sun and prevent burns or evaporation.
Curious things about cacti
- The saguaro is the largest cactus species in existence. It is said that it can weigh 1 ton under normal conditions but after a downpour it can weigh 10 tons. That is, it can absorb 9,000 liters of water with which it could survive 2 years of total drought.
- A cactus could live up to 250 years.
- Cacti are said to have appeared on the planet 30 million years ago in the Oligocene epoch and are native to America.
- There are at least 2,500 documented species of cacti that are divided into about 170 different genera.
What adaptations do cacti, roses, and thistles have?
They have something in common: all three developed spines. As the soils have been changing and new predatory species appear, these plants formed defense mechanisms to scare away all kinds of animals that approached them attracted by the intense color of their flowers or branches. It should be noted that roses and thistles also grow in extreme weather conditions and the thorns also serve as a liquid reservoir and through it they release water to nourish their stems and roots.
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