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Pollination

Some plants are adapted for pollination by the wind, and some for pollination by insects.

Plants adapted for insect pollination have colourful petals and nectar to attract the insects, and 'sticky' pollen that sticks to the insects when they visit the flowers.

Plants adapted for wind pollination have small, light pollen so that it can be carried by the wind. They have feathery stigmas to catch the pollen.

The cactus

A cactus is adapted to life in a hot climate

Cacti are well adapted for survival in the hot, dry conditions of a desert. Their rounded shape gives them a small surface area to volume ratio, which reduces water losses. They also have:

• a thick cuticle to reduce water losses
• green stems which can store water and photosynthesise
• widespread root systems, which can collect water from a large area
• long spines instead of leaves, which reduce water losses and protect against animals that might eat the plant

Watch this clip to see how the saguaro cactus stores water in its stem.

Find out more about the saguaro cactus on BBC Nature.

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