In environments where water is not abundant and temeratures are high, plants have evolved optimizing hydric resources to obtain optimum growth.

Plants known as Succulents pulpy (firm, thick flesh filled with moisture), which helps them to retain water in order to survive the dry season.

• Tissue especially for storing water
• Particular photosynthetic process designed to lose the least amount of water through the stomas.
• Flesh of ribbed formation and knobby surface which permits contraction or expantion while receiving or losing water.
• Modification of leaves into spines to avoid loss of water through transpiration.

GEOGRAPHY:

When speaking of succulenT plants, we need consider two groups: the CACTUS family, and the remaining SUCCULENTS which belong to more than twenty distinct families. Cactuses are of American origen. The remaining succulents are also found in Africa, Australia and northern Europe.

CONSERVATION:

Some 10.000 succulent plant species exist, comprised in 30 families. Of these 10.000 species, 2.000 are in danger of extinction, and many more are threatened in certain regions. The main factor which causes the disappearance of these species is the destruction of their environment, as well as pressure caused by unconscientious collectors.