Do Cacti Have Leaves?

A cactus (plural: cacti) is able to exist under extreme conditions because it is a plant that has adapted itself to those conditions.

Cacti have the same basic structures and processes as other plants. But the work that is done by leaves in most other plants is done by the stems and branches of the cacti. In fact, the absence of leaves and the presence of spine-covered branches and stems enable them to survive in hot, dry regions.

The leaves of other plants are thin structures and are filled with pores through which the plant breathes. During the cell-making process carried on by the plants, water is given off to the air through these pores.

A cactus plant must guard every drop of water. So the work of the leaves is taken over by the stems and branches. Their thick skins have very few pores, and the water in the cactus is retained.

The roots of cacti are spread out, close to the surface of the ground. That's why cacti can quickly absorb water from the earth after a rainfall. This water, which is taken in through the roots, is stored in the spongy or hollow stems of a cactus. The outer layer of the plant is thick and waxy, and this also prevents the escape of water.

The outer skin of a cactus is ribbed. Some cacti have ribs that fold and expand like an accordion. They expand as they fill up with water and fold together as the water in the stem is used up.

There are some members of the cactus familyihat do have leaves, such as the lemon vine of the West Indies. But in most cacti the leaves have developed into spines, needles, or hairs. These help protect the cacti from animals that would otherwise eat them, since they may be the only green plants in the area.