Question

Why does cactus have so many thorns?

Answer 1

Hint: Thorns are the sharp points on certain plants and trees, such as a rose bush. Roses will always have thorns, but they can be avoided with care. Synonyms include prickle, spike, spine, and barb.

Complete answer:
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, which includes approximately 127 genera and 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The term "cactus" is derived from the Ancient Greek o, Kaktus, a name first used by Theophrastus for a spiny plant whose identity is now unknown.

Cacti come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The majority of cacti live in habitats that are subject to at least some drought. Many live in extremely dry environments, including the Atacama Desert, which is one of the driest places on the planet. Cacti have numerous adaptations to conserve water. Almost all cacti are succulents, which means they have thickened, fleshy parts that have been adapted to store water. In contrast to many other succulents, the stem is the only part of most cacti where this vital process takes place.

Cactus spines serve an important function in protecting the cacti from animals and humans. The majority of cactus species lack true leaves and branches. Instead, they have highly modified branches known as areoles – the tiny bumps from which spines grow. Cactus spines are highly modified leaves.

Note: Most cacti have lost their true leaves, leaving only spines, which are highly modified leaves. Spines help prevent water loss by reducing airflow close to the cactus and providing some shade, in addition to defending against herbivores. In the absence of leaves, photosynthesis is carried out by enlarged stems. Cacti are native to the Americas, ranging from southern Patagonia to parts of western Canada in the north—except for Rhipsalis baccifera, which also grows in Africa and Sri Lanka.