How is a cactus suited to its environment?

Answer 1

Generally cacti grow in arid, dry or desert conditions; on occasion the soil can also be saline (due to high evaporation rates).

Cactus (plural cacti) is a general term used to describe a group of plants with similar features or characteristics, as such the adaptations below may be applicable to only some and not all cacti.

In order to adapt to these climatic and soil conditions "cacti" have undergone a number of physical adaptations over millions of years in order to survive and thrive:

Their leaves are normally reduced to spines or thorns; this reduces the amount of water vapour lost through transpiration and offers protection to the plant from predators which may want to feed off of it.

The stem has become thick and fleshy, allowing the plant to store water when it is available. The stem is also green and is the primary location for photosynthesis.

Plants are normally narrow and upright, reducing their exposure to the midday sun, some may have grey green colouring or fine hairs to reflect sunlight.

The plant strictly regulates the opening of the stoma to reduce the amount of water vapour lost to the dry air, for this reason most transpiration and respiration takes place at night.

They normally have a shallow root system directly below the soil, which is able to trap and absorb even the smallest amount of water that may fall. Many species also have extremely deep feeder roots which will tap into underground water sources if they are available, these roots can extend up to 30 metres below the soil.

They have a very limited flowering period. The process of producing flowers takes a heavy toll on the resources of the plant. Some species produce singular flowers which may only last 24 hours, in which time they need to be pollinated. Other desert dwellers such as Agave will only produce flowers once in its lifetime and normally at a maturity of about 50 years old - the plant then dies!

Some plants are adapted to process salt allowing them to grow in salty soils, these plants are generally referred to as halophytes, although they have "cactus" characteristics.

Answer 2

Cacti are well-suited to dry, desert habitats. They tend to be shaped in such a way that prevents water from evaporating quickly, so that they do not dry out. Many cacti are hollow, with an inner reservoir for storing water. Some cacti are jointed, so that, if disturbed violently enough to damage the plant, there are greater chances of survival because both severed parts may grow. Some cacti also can enter a state of deep hibernation, in which the plant appears to be dead, but is yet able to recover in the event that conditions become ideal (i.e. more water, lower temperatures, calmer winds). Many cacti have formations commonly calledquills, which resemble minuscule needles. Quills are actually very small, pointed leaves. Because the body of the cactus itself has a high enough chloroplast count to conduct substantial photosynthesis, it is unnecessary for the leaves to do so. This coupled with the fact that large leaves are more likely to lose water makes it advantageous for a cactus' leaves to take this small, thin form. That such spines make getting to the body of a cactus difficult and potentially painful is simply an evolutionary bonus for the cactus. Some cacti are also covered in fuzz. This fuzz can serve to keep foreign bodies, such as sand, off of the cactus, so it has air to breath. Cacti are also often streamlined. This helps them to present as little resistance as possible in the event of a sandstorm or other weather phenomenon, allowing them greater chances of survival.

A cactus is suited to its environment because located inside the cactus is water that it saved from the last time it rained in the desert,so when the cactus is thirsty it can just take the water that is located in the inside and drink it then that's what causes it to grow.But,by the time the cactus is about to run out of water it suddenly rains again.So the cactus never runs out of water to drink.

Answer 3

Most cactus are very slow growing, and do not acclimate well to different environments from where they are native. Like most plants, however, they can adapt slightly to different humidity, temperature, soil, sunlight, and water levels.

Most cactus need a sunny location and well-draining soil to thrive.

Answer 4

The cactus has the following adaptations to help it survive in its environment;

1) Deep wide roots so they can absorb water.

2) Small, prickly, leaves that reduce evaporation in the overwhelming heat.

3) A thick stem to store the water gained.

Answer 5

It has thick roots that can hold in water for a long time.