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Why do cacti have spines instead of leaves?

These prickly plants have evolved to thrive in sunny deserts and sandy soils that would kill your average potted geranium in less than a day. You might think cacti have spines instead of leaves to jab hungry desert animals looking for a cactus snack, but that’s only half the story. The spines keep the plant from loosing water to the air. They also trap the moisture from morning mist and evening fog. The moisture condenses on the spines (like water drops on a cold soda can), then drips to the ground, where it’s soaked up by the roots. In other words, a cactus’s spines create the planet’s personal rain showers.

 

Picture Credit : Google

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