TOP 10 FLESHY STEMS - BIOLOGY - 2024

The fleshy stems are part of those plants that have developed a system to store water. This is due to the phenomenon of adaptation to ecosystems where water can become very scarce.

This adaptation occurs through the thickening of the parenchymal tissue, achieving the storage of a certain amount of water.

Sisal

Thanks to this, these plants manage to survive environments and times where drought and aridity are natural.

This evolutionary phenomenon is most commonly found in cacti. However, there is a wide variety of plant species that have the necessary characteristics to become fleshy-stemmed plants.

The 10 most relevant fleshy stems

1- Cactaceae cladode

This fleshy stem species has a flattened shape that is shaped similar to that of a racket. This form is commonly seen on the nopal.

2- Columnar cacti

They are recognized for their cylindrical shapes. These stems can be classified as acrotonic, mesotonic, and basitone.

The fundamental differences are in the place of the stem where it divides when growing, either in the tip, the middle zone or the base. Saguaros are an example of this type of stem.

3- Globous cacti

The most representative specimen is found in the biznaga. This species of fleshy stem has a spherical shape that resembles the figure of a barrel.

4- Asclepiadaceae

In this species there are fleshy stems, which may or may not be provided with leaves. Although they have been seen in various regions, they are mainly found in Africa.

5- Crassulaceae

Both the stems and the leaves are very fleshy. This family is made up of more than 1400 plants.

They are found in a large number of arid areas around the world. In this group are located the kalanchoe, sedum, sempervivum, pachyphytum, echeveria, among others.

6- Euphorbiaceae

They are similar to cacti. Thorns are found along the stem that protect it from animals and help dissipate heat.

By doing this they manage to maintain humidity, which makes their stems very fleshy. They are usually seen in greater numbers in Africa.

7- Apocynacea

Edithcolea is found in this family. This species has a fleshy or succulent and spiny stem.

This species can reach 15 centimeters high and the branches can reach 18 millimeters wide. They are usually found in Africa, Arabia and the Socotra archipelago.

8- Didiereaceae

This species has stems that are characterized by being accumulators of water, they are very similar to cacti. They are mainly located between the southeast and south of Madagascar.

9- Izoaceae

Most of the species that belong to this family lack leaves and their stems are visibly fleshy or succulent.

These types of plants can be found in Australia and South Africa. The genera represented in this family are: faucaria, conophytum, aptenia, carpobrotus, among others.

10- Agavaceae

It usually has very small stems to hold its fleshy leaves. However, the stem where its flowers are born can reach seven meters in height, being quite fleshy.

They are most popular in arid areas of Mexico and the United States. Among these species we can find yucca, sisal and pita.

References

1. Evans, DB (2010). Cactuses of Big Bend National Park. Texas: University of Texas Press.
2. Juan Antonio Arenas, FG (1996). Illustrated guide to the flora of Aljarafe. Seville: University of Seville.
3. Renee Van Buren, JG (2012). Woody Plants of Utah: A Field Guide with Identification Keys to Native and Naturalized Trees, Shrubs, Cacti, and Vines. Colorado: University Press of Colorado.
4. Richard Stephen Felger, BT-M. (2013). Plant Life of a Desert Archipelago: Flora of the Sonoran Islands in the Gulf of California. California: University of Arizona.
5. Schaaf, T. (2008). Educational material for countries located in dry areas: A creative way to educate about the environment. UNESCO Publishing.