Cactiform Plants: Adaptations for Survival in Harsh Environments

Cactiform refers to a plant that has a body shape or growth habit similar to that of a cactus. This can include plants that have thick, fleshy stems or leaves that are adapted to conserve water in arid environments, as well as plants that have spines or other structures that help them survive in harsh conditions.

Some examples of plants that are considered cactiform include:

* Cacti (obviously!)
* Succulents, such as aloe vera and echeveria
* Euphorbias, such as the crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii) and the candelabra euphorbia (Euphorbia ingens)
* Agaves, such as the agave plant (Agave spp.)
* Yucca plants, such as the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia)

These plants have evolved a range of adaptations to survive in dry, hot environments, including thick, water-storing leaves or stems, spines or thorns to deter herbivores, and deep roots to access underground water.