How Does a Cactus Survive in the Desert?
Large Root Systems Even the tiniest of cacti can have several feet of roots surrounding them. These roots lay close to the desert surface so they can catch water almost as soon as it hits the ground. When there’s a heavy rain, a cactus’s roots can sprout smaller “feeder roots” quickly to spread out even more. After the storm ends, the plant cuts these new roots off and they lay dormant or die. There’s no need to have more parts to feed or to risk water seeping out of them and into the ground. Stems Most cacti have thick stems and few or no leaves. These stems serve several purposes. First of all, they are flexible, so they can grow during heavy rains to accommodate more water and store it. Second, they are covered in a waxy substance, or cuticle, that impedes transpiration, the evaporation of water off the plant. You may notice that most stems grow vertically instead of spreading out like tree branches. This helps water run down the cactus and reach the roots instead of settling on the
