Why Do Cacti Have Spines?

I’ve always assumed that cacti only had spines for protection, but it turns out that they have much more to offer and are actually quite remarkable adaptations. They help cacti overcome the difficulties of living in desert conditions in many interesting ways. Thorns help cacti thrive in desert environments by providing a variety of functions. They protect plants from predators, provide shade, help regulate temperature, reduce water loss, and even help plants disperse and reproduce.Read: Why cacti have spines Read on and I will explain exactly how cacti use their spines to help them survive and thrive in the harsh conditions in which they live.

Why do cacti have spines?

There are 6 main reasons why cacti have spines. I will explain each reason in detail and I am sure you will be fascinated by the interesting uses of these thorny adaptations.

1. Cactus spines Trap the air, regulate the plant’s temperature

Cactus spines are small but often numerous, covering the entire surface of the plant. Similar to how wearing overalls will keep a layer of insulating air next to your skin, the spines of a cactus trap a layer of air close to the plant’s surface, reducing ventilation. This layer of air insulates the cactus and prevents large temperature changes. This is useful both in very hot desert conditions, but also protects them from large changes in temperature between day and night, and during different seasons where in some desert climates it can be quite cold at night.

2. Provide Shade

The cactus spines are small and thin and unlike what you would normally expect from the shade. Hold a single cactus spine up and the shadow it creates is very small and seemingly insignificant. There aren’t too many places to find shade in the desert and the sun can easily damage a cactus without some ability to prevent some of this from reaching the surface of the cactus. water from the surface of the cactus, reducing water loss and helping the cactus to survive more efficiently during dry spells.

3. Thorns Protect Cactus from Predators

Cactus spines are extremely sharp and can be very painful to the touch unless you are careful. I am constantly amazed by how sharp they are when I repot my cacti, and it reminds me why special care is needed around these plants. and, for many of the animals that live here, a cactus would be a welcome meal, but the thorns prevent most animals from eating these plants. by the thorns of the cactus, and go ahead and eat them. Javelinas, camels and many rodents and insects will all eat cacti even though they have spines.

4. Mobility and reproduction

Some succulents have spiny spines that easily latch onto any animal (or even humans) that gets too close to them. This is an intelligent reproductive mechanism, the most famous being the Cholla cactus (Cylindropuntia). Part of the cactus will separate from the parent plant and be transported elsewhere. enlist the help of animals to help them reproduce and disperse, but some succulents have attributed this role to their spines, with stunning results. and are genetically identical, due to the efficiency of this reproductive technique.

5. Cactus spines Help collect water

The deserts in which many succulents live are notorious for their aridity and unpredictable rainfall. It could be a long time before the next rain, so cacti and other desert plants must take advantage of adaptations to collect, store, and conserve water. Because of their large surface area exposed to the air, these spines do not lose water because they are metabolically inactive, but they do allow water vapor from the air to condense onto the spines and run down. the surface of the plant and into the soil, where it is absorbed by the roots. Even if it hasn’t rained for a long time, there can still be significant moisture in the air. Warm air holds more moisture, but as it cools, the air can’t carry all of the moisture, and some of it will condense on surfaces. This is why dew forms in the evening, and the succulents are ready and waiting to take this water from the air.

6. Cactus spines are transformed leaves

Read more: Here’s why Overwatch feels bad to play right now Cactus spines are actually heavily modified leaves, even though they don’t have any of the same structure as normal leaves normal and completely inert. Cactus have adapted to the harsh conditions in which they live by developing nodes instead of branches and spines instead of leaves. The cactus has adapted by transferring the functions of the leaves to the body of the cactus. This means that photosynthesis is done in the cactus stem, not where we would normally think of it being done in other plants. smaller leaves. Gradually, leaf functions shifted to the central stem, and the leaf remnants stiffened and developed the other adaptive spines we see today.

What is the difference between thorns and spikes?

Lots of plants have thorns, but only a few have thorns, and a lot of them look pretty much the same. So what is the difference? Thorns are modified leaves, while thorns are modified branches. All thorny plants will also have leaves according to some description. Spiny plants have no leaves, because thorns ARE leaves. Interestingly, many of the plants that we characterize as having spines are actually not. The thorns of the rose are actually thorns. Thorns are sharp extensions of stem or leaf epidermis and differ from both spines and spines.

Are Cactus Thorns Poisonous?

Cactus spines are not poisonous. However, they can cause significant damage to your skin, especially those with spikes. The spines are designed to detach and attach to the skin of animals or people they come into contact with. These spines are difficult to remove and can cause localized dermatitis or granulomatous reactions if left untreated. They will irritate the skin and be very uncomfortable. I spent many hours of discomfort trying to get prickly pear prickles out of my skin with a pair of tweezers. Not a situation I want to stay in.Newly developed cactus spines

Do cactus spines grow back?

Cactus spines emerge from the moles as the plant grows. Mature spines are inert and will not regrow if they are damaged or removed. New spikes will only grow from new nodes as the cactus grows. If you are growing cacti as ornamental plants, handle them carefully, as the cosmetic damage from damage or broken spines is permanent. Cactus have spines. This article is part of a series that looks at some of the interesting characteristics of cacti and cacti. Check out some of the other articles in this series below. Read more: Fact check: Ellen, Oprah, many others not under house arrest for child sex trafficking

• What soil do cacti need?
• How do cactus grow fast?
• How long do cacti live?
• What is the difference between a succulent plant and a cactus?

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