What is the Difference Between Cacti and Succulents?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Cacti and succulents are closely related, but they have some key differences that set them apart. Here are the main differences between cacti and succulents:
- Spines and hard leaves: Cacti are identified by their needle-like spines, while succulents usually do not have spines.
- Areoles: Cacti form small white bumps on their surface called areoles, which are modified buds. Succulents do not have areoles.
- Physical features: Cacti generally have few or no leaves, while succulent plants hold water and nutrients in their fleshy leaves.
Both cacti and succulents bloom, but they have different flowering patterns. Cacti belong to a specific botanical family, while succulents are a broader group referring to a type of plant included in several botanical families. All cacti are considered succulents, but there are some succulents that are not cacti.
Comparative Table: Cacti vs Succulents
The main difference between cacti and succulents is their appearance and the presence of areoles. Here is a table summarizing the differences between cacti and succulents:
| Cacti | Succulents |
|---|---|
| Cacti are succulents with fleshy stems that store water and have needle-like spines. | Succulents are plants that store water in their stems, roots, and leaves, and can belong to around 60 different plant families. |
| Cacti are identified by their areoles, which are small, round bumps on their surface where spines, hair, and flowers grow. | Succulents do not have areoles. |
| Cacti usually do not have leaves. | Succulent leaves can range hugely in appearance. |
| Cacti are a family within the group of plants collectively known as succulents. | Succulents are a broad group of plants that store water, including cacti. |
Both cacti and succulents bloom, but their appearances can be quite different due to convergent evolution, where genetically unrelated plants and animals develop similar traits. While all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti. The presence of areoles is the main characteristic that distinguishes cacti from other succulents.
- Christmas Cactus vs Thanksgiving Cactus
- Cycads vs Palms
- Convolvulaceae vs Solanaceae
- C3 vs C4 Plants
- Tundra vs Desert
- Collenchyma vs Sclerenchyma
- Bryophytes vs Tracheophytes
- Flowering vs Nonflowering Plants
- Collenchyma vs Chlorenchyma
- Dicot vs Monocot
- Crop vs Plant
- Mosses vs Ferns
- Grass vs Sedge
- Tree vs Plant
- Plants vs Animals
- Algae vs Plants
- Calyx vs Corolla
- Land Plants vs Water Plants
- Plants vs Fungi