Succulent plants, often referred to simply as succulents, are plants that tend to grow in arid regions and have some parts which are thick and fleshy because they retain and store water. The word "succulent" is borrowed from the Latin word sucus, which means sap or juice. Succulent plants are characterized by their ability to store water in different parts of the plant, such as the stem or leaves. Occasionally, the term also includes plants that store water in their roots, such as geophytes, which have a special adaptation that protect the plant from being eaten by herbivores. In horticulture, the term succulent sometimes excludes plants that a botanist would classify as succulent, such as cacti. Given their unique and striking appearance, succulent plants are often grown as ornamental plants.
Succulent plants are typically drought-resistant and have leaves, stems or roots that become unusually fleshy because they store water in their tissues. Plants that are adapted to dry and harsh environments, such as succulents, are known as xerophytes. However, not all xerophytes are succulents, because some plants have developed unique characteristics such as small leaves which can roll-up or leathery leaves instead of succulent leaves. Similarly, not all succulents are xerophytes, as some plants classified as succulents are also aquatic plants. Continue reading from WorldAtlas
Plants are a kingdom of life forms that includes familiar organisms such as trees, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns and mosses. Through photosynthesis, they convert water and carbon dioxide into the oxygen we breathe and the sugars that provide the primary fuel for life. Through nitrogen fixation, plants generate proteins that are basic building blocks of life. Early fossil records of photosynthesizing organisms date from about 3 billion years ago. Continue reading from The Center for Biological Diversity
