What's the first thing that comes to everyone's mind when mentioning cacti? Is it the piercing "spines" or the hand-like "leaves"?

Cacti are native to tropical arid regions and boast strong vitality.

With people's growing interest in exotic plants, they have gradually been cultivated by humans. They are now widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. Their drought-resistant and easy-to-care-for characteristics make them popular household ornamental plants in the northern areas.

There are also claims that cacti can purify air, protect against radiation, and be consumed as food or used in medicine. Despite not having striking appearances, they are beloved for their practical qualities. Their spines are also a unique feature. As for why they have spines, there are several viewpoints:

1. Genetic Determination:

The diversity of life on Earth, with each species possessing distinct characteristics, is governed by genetic material DNA. DNA, with its combinations of just four different nucleotides, gives rise to the myriad of species on our planet. Cacti are no exception. Their spines are determined by specific combinations of nucleotides encoded in their genetic material. Isn't that fascinating?

2. Evolutionary Reasons:

British biologist Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection, suggesting that the existence of organisms today is the result of evolutionary adaptation to their environment. Species today differ from those of the past, and those of the future will differ from those of today because the Earth's environment constantly changes, influencing the evolutionary traits of local species.

Cacti originally inhabited tropical arid regions. To conserve water and survive, they evolved to reduce water loss by transitioning from leaves that promote water evaporation to spines. Green stems replaced the function of leaves and stored water. This is the reason behind their evolution.

3. Defense Mechanism:

Plants, while lacking consciousness like animals, can perceive their external environment. Defense mechanisms are common among plants, such as releasing toxins to deter pests or growing specialized tissues for defense against external threats. The spines of cacti serve as a defense against herbivores, a means of prolonging their lives. This is also a manifestation of "survival of the fittest."

In arid regions, organisms compete for water, and animals are no exception. Thus, a dynamic of attack and defense between flora and fauna emerges. The stems of cacti provide essential water for animals while the spines slow down the pace of predation. Nature's balance is genuinely miraculous, governed by its laws, which no one can defy.

The spines of cacti are their "armor" in the natural world, a result of species evolution, and a testament to the colorful diversity of the natural world.