Cacti have figured out survive in dry regions.
Cacti, like other succulent plants, grow in dry places because they have physical structures that are modified to allow them to survive the dry conditions, resulting from evolutionary adaptations. They might have existed in a time when the deserts had more water and then adapted as the deserts became drier; therefore, they collect nutrients from the soil and engage in photosynthesis with the use of sunlight and the little water they can collect. While normally associated with hot climates, cacti can live in any dry regions where plants can survive. Does this Spark an idea?
Sunlight
While dry regions lack water, they usually have abundant sunlight. Cacti take advantage of this sunlight while using water efficiently, but they grow slowly due to the lower moisture levels. Most homes have enough dryness to grow cacti, but the succulents need to be close to a window to have sufficient access to sunlight.
Moisture Storage
Cacti need some moisture to survive, so even the hardiest cacti eventually perish if they get no moisture. Thick and fleshy leaves or stems allow cacti to store larger quantities of water. They can then survive on this water until the desert area rains enough for them to replenish the water used.
Shape
Due to their shapes, cacti have a large amount of internal space to store moisture, while having a small amount of external space through which to lose moisture. They usually have no branches, decreasing their surface area, which minimizes the water lost. Cacti can shrivel as they lose water and then swell when more moisture becomes available. Also, pleats on the sides help guide water that lands on them toward the base, where the roots can absorb the water.
Protective Spines
By growing in places where other plants cannot survive, cacti avoid competition with other plants. Because they contain scarce water, though, animals living in the desert try to take the water from the cacti, which can cause the cacti to perish. As a defense, cacti often have spines that poke the animals, discouraging them from biting into the cacti. The spines also provide shading. Some cacti also lean toward the sun to minimize the amount of heat that hits the larger surface of the plant.
Efficient Water Absorption
When cacti receive rain, their broad and shallow root systems absorb the water very rapidly, because the beating sun can cause fast evaporation. Some desert plants also have deep taproots that allow them to access water tables.
Adapted Pores
The cacti have pores sunken deeper into the plant, minimizing water loss. The pores remain closed throughout the day and only open at night to perform transpiration without losing too much water. They also have waxy exteriors that allow them to keep water inside.
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