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Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)
A major function of cactus spines serve to provide protection for the cactus from the sun. At first, it is hard to believe that tiny cactus spines offer any real protection from the intense desert sun. But when you consider that a cactus can have thousands of spines and each spine provides a small amount of shade and multiply that by 1,000 - well it becomes easier to believe that spines really do offer some protection from the sun for the skin of the cactus.
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∙ 14y ago
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∙ 13y agoBecause in Deserts they dont have much water, so the cactus leaves are turned into spikes to keep the water in. Also so no animals eat them because if they did lets face it...OUCH!
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∙ 14y agoThey are modified into spines because every leaf has stomata (plural of stoma) that are kind of pores which let the plant release extra water but because cacti lives in desert,it needs to store water.If the leaves modify into spines,no extra water will evaporate.It uses it's stem to do the work of leaves that is making chlorophyll without releasing water!
Wiki User
∙ 13y agothe spines or spikes on a cacti are actually leaves. in order to conserve water, prevent evaporation, and serve as a form of defense the leaves have turn into spikes. instead of in the leaves cacti photosynthesis in the stem and that is why cacti are green
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe leaves of cactus are modified to sharp spine to reduce the area of water loss when sweat. They also have other modifications to reduce the loss of water, because in the deserts, is rare to rain.
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∙ 13y agosometimes it is used to protect itself from predators.
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∙ 14y agoThey are very tall and they suck up all the food that it needs.
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∙ 12y agoThe spines are their to protect it from being eaten especially in a place where resources are not plentiful. For example some animals will take the water stored within a cactus.
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∙ 12y agoThey keep away predators
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Why does a cactus have spiny leaves?
It is an adaptation and a form of leaves, except that they are spines. It is either for protection from animals sucking its internal "juice", or it is for preventing dessication (drying out).
How do you remove baby cactus to grow new plants?
i preferred to use my kitchen knife, just be sure while you removing the baby cactus be sure you wearing a gloves , to cover the spines of cactus, -ryan rey dominguez
What are the properties of a cactus flower?
Cactus are native to the Americas, ranging from Patagonia in the south to parts of western Canada in the north. They are often found in drought-ridden areas. Spines and areoles give rise to flowers, which are usually tubular and multi-petaled. Cactus flowers usually have many stamens, but only a single style, which may branch at the end into more than one stigma.
What is the similarities of a cactus and a plant?
One difference is that a cactus is actually a plant related to a shrub more than a tree. Trees are normally found where a water source is abundant and Cacti are normally found in a central location where ground water is present.
Cactus physiological adaptations?
Cacti have adapted to hot, dry climates in a number of different ways. Their leaves have grown spines in multiple clusters, which produce shadows on the plant. The spines also help the plant collect precious rain water and the morning dew.
Does a cactus have a thorn?
No, a cactus does not have a thorn. A cactus has spines.
Why cactus plant have spines?
they have the spines to protect them from your face
What do you call the sharp point on cactus stems?
The pointy things on a cactus are called spines.
Why are the spines on a cactus important?
To keep predators away, so it doesn't get eaten like grass.
How do the spines on a cactus help it survive?
Spines: Spines help the cactus in several ways. The most obvious use of the spines is for protection against foragers. The cactus basically states "How much pain are you willing to indure to get a drink in this desert?"; Surprisingly, some animals do partake. In some cactus varieties the spines participate in water collection. Water from dew condenses on spines and, in some cactus species, downward-pointing spines help to direct rainwater to the roots of the plant. Spines help to reflect light away from the cactus stem theoretically lowering the stem temperature. Some spines also trap in a layer of air next to the cactus stem preventing loss of water via evaporative cooling.
Can a cactus shoot its spikes at animals?
There is no cactus capable of shooting its spines.
How have leaves of a cactus adapt to the desert?
Leaves have evolved into spines on the cactus.
Are cactus spines alive?
Yes, cactus spines are living parts of the cactus plant. They owe their existence to growth buds on the plant's surface. From the growth buds also come a cactus plant's flowers.
What structural adaptations would you notice on a cactus?
The structural adaptations you would notice on a cactus are the spines on it. The spines are there so they don't loose water.
What are the quills attached to on a cactus?
The 'spines' of a cactus attach directly to the stem of the plant.
What do all cacti have?
All cactus have spines.
How are embedded cactus spines removed?
Remove embedded cactus spines by soaking the affected area. Apply products that encourage the spines to rise to the surface. In many cases, the spines may be removed by looking through a magnifying glass and using tweezers.
