No-leaf stem plants adapted to arid environments
Today, we will introduce no-leaf stem plants adapted to arid environments and the related knowledge of plants in arid environments. There are many plants in nature that have no leaves or leaves that have degenerated into spines. These are changes that plants have made to adapt to the natural environment.
Plants have roots, stems, and leaves. Leaves are mainly responsible for photosynthesis, manufacturing nutrients for the plant, but large leaves can also accelerate water evaporation. Therefore, in some arid deserts, some plants have evolved to no longer grow leaves in order to survive. So how do they perform photosynthesis to produce nutrients? This is done through their evolved succulent stems capable of photosynthesis. These plants open their stomata at night for gas exchange, absorbing carbon dioxide and storing it in the stems, allowing them to perform photosynthesis during the day with the stomata closed.
Succulents and cacti have both demonstrated similar changes to adapt to their environment. Many succulents, although without spines, have highly degenerated leaves and rely on their succulent stems for photosynthesis, producing the sugars needed by the plant. The succulent stems of different species of cacti vary greatly in size and shape, but most of them are leafless, with their leaves having evolved into spines. These leaf spines can protect them from being eaten by animals and also slow down air flow, reducing water evaporation.
The detailed explanation of plants in arid environments and no-leaf stem plants adapted to arid environments mentioned above is for reference and suggestion only!