Cacti are far-famed for their unique version that allow them to prosper in desiccate desert environments . Their specialized structures and anatomy set them apart from other plants . In this article , we ’ll take a close looking at at the distinct constituent that make up a cactus plant life .
The Stem
The base is the independent photosynthetic organ of a cactus plant It is thicker and more succulent than the stems of most plant due to the water - storing tissue inside This enable cacti to pull round long periods of drought .
Cactus stems come in different shapes :
pear-shaped and piston chamber - shaped stems are seen in barrel cacti ,
Flattened ellipse pad are set up in briery pears and cholla .
Columnar cacti like saguaro have tall , vertical stem .
The forbidden airfoil of the stem may be bland or have protrusions like ribs , tubercles , and ridges . A waxy coating help reduce water going .
Areoles
Unique to cacti , areoles are small cushion - like structures break up across the stem aerofoil . They produce spines , flowers , branches , and leave ( when present ) . New emergence originates from areoles .
Spines
backbone are extremely modified leafage that emerge from the areoles . Their main functions are :
Deterring herbivores
Providing shade to reduce water loss
Gathering moisture through condensation
vertebral column descend in many build like needles , barb , hooks , and clubs . They may be fix or detachable . Some cacti also have fine , hair - comparable spines call glochidium .
Roots
Cactus roots are in the main shallow and widespread to absorb as much moisture as possible when it rains . sinewy root word pilus efficiently take up water near the soil airfoil . taproot give some specie bestow stability .
Leaves and Flowers
Most cacti do n’t have dependable leave-taking . In those that do , the leave of absence are small and succulent , like the rounded leaves of Pereskia . heyday are large and brilliantly colored , ranging from white to yellow , pink , orangish , red , and purple . They bloom individually at the end of stems and live for only a day or two .
Fruit
After pollination , the cactus heyday detaches from the ovary while the ovary develops into a fleshy , berry - like fruit . The fruit stop many small seeds and juice . Some cactus fruits are edible , like the prickly Pyrus communis .
Specialized Features
Some cacti have unique version to their abrasive environments . For instance :
Epiphytic cacti have flatten stems for engage wet and cleave to tree diagram branches .
taproot give giant columnar cacti like saguaro stability in the desert floor .
Ribbed stems lucubrate and shrink to stash away or conserve water .
Trichomes reflect sunlight and trim back zephyr catamenia over the aerofoil .
disguise – Some cacti blend into their rocky milieu .
Growth Habit
The increase habit of a cactus depends on the species . Some common habits include :
tree diagram - like column up to 40 feet tall
bush made up of cylindric stems
broken mat that spread across the priming coat
Vine - like epiphytes with track or hanging stems
Forming clump of pear-shaped , globe - shaped stems
Reproduction
Cacti mainly reproduce by seed . They can also propagate vegetatively by :
Rhizomes – cloak-and-dagger horizontal stem
Offsets – clonal “ pups ” emerge at the foundation
Cuttings – segments or pad that settle after separation
Grafting – joining the top of one cactus coinage to the bottom of another
This gives an overview of the singular social system and class of cactus works . Specialized stem , lack of leave of absence , rachis for protection , and adaptations for water storage allow these incredible plants to expand in red-hot , dry environs . The distinctive function of a cactus all contribute to its survival where other plants can not .
Parts of a plant (cactus)
FAQ
What are the sharp parts of a cactus called ?
What does a cactus stem feeling like ?
What is the flesh of a cactus plant ?
What is the name of the root word of a cactus ?
