it is their evolutionary defense against attackers.
In a desert environment, water is very scarce. Therefore, every small amount of water absorbed by plants is indispensable to plant survival. The purpose of thorns is to protect the fleshy stems (which contain water) of the cactus from predators.
Thorns are woody protrusions on plants that often have a sharp point. Not all plants have thorns, however, leading some people to wonder why some plants that have little else in common have thorns while similar plants do not. There are several reasons why plants develop thorns, though their development depends on the environment in which the species grows.
the thorns are actually their leaves. They are small so there is less surface area to lose water from through transpiration.
caucuses have thorns so insects that eat that sort of plant or people who want caucuses get poked and the little creatures die on them. if you look closely at a cactus in the desert its likely to have lots of insects on the thorns, therefore caucuses have thorns to protect it and prevent others from touching it
To protect the fleshy part from the herbivores
It is nature's way to protect these plants from animals eating them. That way, the plants can remain in the ecosystem and protect against erosion.
Thorns is a way plants protect themselves. They can also be a source of shade and water conservation for some cactus.
It is a large bush to small tree that is in the desert with thorns, flower buds, blossoms,....etc
The one in our garden does have thorns and rip you to shreds, beautiful red flowers but horrible thorns.
cactus thorns are made up of Leaves
No.
yes. poisonus.
The cacti have spines (not thorns) and do not have leaves. There are also some plants in Africa and Asia that are similar to cacti but have thorns instead of spines.
The desert cactus
In the Old World there are a number of species of euphorbias and other genera that have thorns. In the new world (Americas) cacti have spines (not thorns) but are succulents.
In the Old World there are a number of species of euphorbias and other genera that have thorns. In the new world (Americas) cacti have spines (not thorns) but are succulents.
The desert cactus
The vast majority of desert plants do have leaves and few have only spines.
a desert plant with thorns but withouth leaves
Some desert plants have spines or thorns, some have a bad taste and some are toxic if eaten.
No, the vast majority of plants in the desert are not succulents. They are typical plants that have developed other means of living in an arid environment.
It is a large bush to small tree that is in the desert with thorns, flower buds, blossoms,....etc
The horticulture students were amazed at the variety of cacti present in the Arizona desert.
European tradition says that the crown of thorns was made from the hawthorn tree. Hawthorn bushes have huge, gothic looking thorns. Hawthorn is not native to the middle east, however. But the tradition survives and even results in hawthorn being used as a form of traditional protection against vampires.