How does a cactus survive in the desert?

A look at how cacti are able to survive and grow in the harsh, dry desert environment. The spines on a cactus help to protect it from humans and animals. Its roots are spread out to collect water when it does rain and it stores water in its body for future use. read more

Since the cactus’s long roots lie close to the surface of the ground, they can catch water from desert rains. And since the roots have a cork-like bark covering them, they can absorb the water quickly. Because the cactus has no leaves, its stems do the job of manufacturing food for the plant and of storing its water. read more

Perhaps the most archetypal image of a desert plant is the hearty cactus, which through its unique evolutionary adaptations retains enough moisture to survive long stints without any rain, flowering briefly once a year or sometimes at even longer intervals. read more

Cacti make use of many structural adaptations, such as shallow roots, fixed spines and thick stems, to survive in the desert where there is minimal rainfall. Each of these adaptations allow the plant to collect and store water more efficiently in an environment where water is scarce. read more