A barrel cactus that is 60 cm tall and 30 cm in diameter has roots more than 3 m long. However, all the plant’s roots are found in the soil at a depth of 5 to15 cm. What possible adaptive value does such a shallow root system confer on a desert plant?

Concepts of Biology
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Chapter14: Diversity Of Plants
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 6RQ: Why do mosses grow well in the Arctic tundra? a. They grow better at cold temperatures. b. They do...
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A barrel cactus that is 60 cm tall and 30 cm in diameter has roots more than 3 m long. However, all the plant’s roots are found in the soil at a depth of 5 to
15 cm. What possible adaptive value does such a shallow root system confer on a desert plant?

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