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Soft spines tend to take the form of bristles or hairs instead of thorns, spines, spikes, quills, prongs, or needles. Both bristles and hairs may have softer, gentler forms. But bristles tend to be much shorter than hairs.
Or bristles and hairs may not be sharp, but still irritating. An example of a softer, gentler haired cactus is the old man [Cephalocereus spp]. Its long, silky hairs may end up encasing much of the blue green columnar stem in a soft, white beard. An example of the soft and the sharp of cactus spines is found in another old man cactus [Oreocereus spp]. The stem is encased in a soft down of fine, long, white hairs. But underneath are razor sharp yellow, white or red needles.
What else can I help you with?
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.
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.
Give samples of plants with their protective structures?
Thorns, spines (such as those on a cactus), and prickles are examples of protective structures of plants.
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.
How does a cactus adapt to its environment by losing its spines?
A cactus adapts to its environment by losing its spines to reduce water loss and protect itself from animals.
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.
What are the examples of soft stem plants?
grass, mushroom, ginger, pineapple, eggplant, cactus.
