Saturday, August 24, 2013

Spines

Cactus spines are often cited as a protection to the plants. In cactus, the spines occur in clusters in the axil of microscopic leaves called glochids. It is clear that many plants have spines but why do some desert plants have spines and others do not? If the development of spines confers an evolutionary advantage, why don't all desert plants have spines?

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