All plants photosynthesize, collecting carbon dioxide through holes in their leaves called “stomata” and converting it into sugar and oxygen. Cacti utilize CAM photosynthesis, a process unique to succulents. read more
The most familiar cacti are stem succulents, one of many adaptations plants have to very dry environments. Stem succulents have thick water storing stems. Not all cacti are succulents, and not all succulents are cacti, but this is an answer to another common question. To limit water loss many desert adapted plants have very small or vestigial leaves. read more
All plants photosynthesize, collecting carbon dioxide through holes in their leaves called “stomata” and converting it into sugar and oxygen. Cacti utilize CAM photosynthesis, a process unique to succulents. In CAM photosynthesis, stomata open only at night when the plant is relatively cool, so less moisture is lost through transpiration. read more
The concept of photosynthesis in a cactus or succulent plant may seem strange considering that most of them do not have obvious leaves like many other plants, but their stems or trunks serve the same photosynthetic function as some other plants' leaves. read more