physical and behavioral adaptations for a cactus
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Cactus usually have thorns to discourage animals from eating then. easier to grow thorns than be continually replacing eaten parts.
Slow growing compared to most other plants in order to better balance the need to grow/reproduce with poor soil fertility/nutrition, lack of water and extremes in temperature. (some cactus are longed-lived and can grow into very big plants.)
Mostly flowering at the same time so as to maximize pollination chances.
Seeds mostly only germinate after either a fire has burnt most Competition and animals or after rare heavy rains. (maybe years between fire or rain)
Some shade &/or channel condensation /rain to their roots.
Most can grow from broken branchs sending roots into soil to make new plants.
Slow growing compared to most other plants in order to better balance the need to grow/reproduce with poor soil fertility/nutrition, lack of water and extremes in temperature. (some cactus are longed-lived and can grow into very big plants.)
Mostly flowering at the same time so as to maximize pollination chances.
Seeds mostly only germinate after either a fire has burnt most Competition and animals or after rare heavy rains. (maybe years between fire or rain)
Some shade &/or channel condensation /rain to their roots.
Most can grow from broken branchs sending roots into soil to make new plants.