1. Succulence: Cacti have the ability to store water in their stems, leaves, or roots. This trait allows them to survive in environments where water is scarce or irregular.
2. Waxy Epidermis: The surface of cacti is covered with a waxy layer known as the cuticle. This waxy epidermis reduces water loss through evaporation, helping the plant retain moisture.
3. Spines or Hairs: Cacti have evolved spines or hairs instead of leaves. Spines help reduce water loss by limiting airflow around the plant, while hairs can help reflect sunlight and reduce the plant's surface temperature.
4. CAM Photosynthesis: Many cacti utilize Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis. This unique adaptation enables them to open their stomata at night to capture carbon dioxide and store it as organic acids. The organic acids are then broken down during the day to release carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, reducing water loss.
5. Root Adaptations: Cacti have extensive and shallow root systems that spread widely to collect water and nutrients from a large area of soil. Some species also develop specialized roots near the soil's surface to quickly absorb any rainfall.
6. Long-lived Seeds: Cacti produce seeds that are highly tolerant to desiccation and can survive for years or even decades in dry conditions, waiting for favorable conditions for germination.
7. Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) is an inherited trait that allows cacti to conserve water by opening their stomata (small pores on the surface of the plant) at night to absorb carbon dioxide and closing them during the day to reduce water loss through transpiration. This adaptation enables cacti to survive in arid environments with limited water availability.
These inherited traits allow cacti to thrive in hot and dry climates where other plants may struggle to survive. They showcase the remarkable adaptations that have evolved in plants to cope with environmental challenges.