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Many cacti species have huge, showy blossoms ranging in color from shimmering magenta, to flashy red-orange, to sunshine yellow. Fragrant blossoms form as tight clusters along the upper portion of the stalk or may branch out in radiant beauty, such as those of the century plant. Stalks may grow several feet per night, allowing them to reach towering heights before hungry predators can nibble off the delicious flowering tips. Agaves and yuccas generally produce tall stalks.
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The trade-off with this unusual, and delayed method of photosynthesis is that cacti and succulent species generally grow very slowly.įlowers of both the cacti and the agaves and yuccas are very beautiful and quite striking. During the day, carbon dioxide is internally released from the acid and made available to the plant. Much less of the plant’s preciously stored moisture is lost in this process during the night, than would be in the heat of the day.
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Carbon dioxide is taken in through these minute openings and chemically stored as an organic acid.
CARBON STORED AS ORGANIC ACID CAM SKIN
Pores in the skin surface, called stomata, open only at night. Cacti use a photosynthesis process (unique to succulents) called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism or CAM. Cacti also have broad, shallow root systems that allow them to rapidly absorb large quantities of water during brief rains where precipitation only superficially moistens the upper soil layers. Tiny glochids may go unnoticed or appear fuzzy and soft, but are dangerously sharp. Some species, such as prickly pears and chollas also possess numerous glochids, or barbed hairs that are located at the center of the spine clusters. Essentially, leaves have been replaced by spine clusters, which form within defined areas called areoles. A cacti’s “skin” is coated with a waxy layer that effectively protects the plant against moisture loss and provides protection from the sun’s radiant heat. These form as ribs or knobs that swell and contract, accordion style, as water is stored or lost. Though cacti and agaves (and yuccas) are often confused, agaves and yuccas have long fibrous leaves that may be barbed, while cacti have thick fleshy stems, pads, or branches. Forced to survive by conserving water, these plants have evolved into uniquely shaped plants, with many unusual characteristics. Stalks may grow several feet per night, allowing them to reach towering heights before hungry predators can nibble off the delicious flowering tips.Ĭacti and succulents, such as agaves and yuccas are xerophytes – plants that are highly adapted to arid conditions.