Succulents are often thought of as cacti; although nearly all cacti are succulents not all succulents are cacti. Succulents belong to many different plant families, in addition to the Cactaceae plant family, and include the following plant families, amongst others:
- Agavaceae
- Amaryllidaceae
- Apiaceae
- Burseraceae
- Crassulaceae
- Geraniaceae
- Lamiaceae
- Piperaceae
- Sapindacea
- Ruscaceae.
What are Succulents?
Succulents are plants which retain water and are adapted to the arid conditions of either the soil or the climate in a particular region. Succulents appear fatter and more swollen than other plants due to their water storage features; succulent plants have many water retaining features, allowing them to survive harsh conditions such as the hot, dry desert.
Water Retaining Features of Succulents
Water retaining features of succulent plants include:
- storage of water in leaves, stems and roots of the plant
- reduction in the number of stomata
- the process of photosynthesis takes place in the stems of the plant instead of the leaves
- water loss is minimized through CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism)
- the surface of succulent plants are usually waxy, hairy or spiny which reduces air movement on the surface of the plant and thus water loss.
Where do Succulents Grow?
Succulent plants are native to dry areas of tropical regions including desert, semi-desert and steppe climates; they are also found in certain coastal areas or salt pans. Succulents therefore have the ability to survive in extremely high temperatures, low precipitation and areas with high levels of dissolved minerals. Epiphytes are also succulents as they have limited, if any, contact with the soil.
Fire Resistant Succulents
Succulents are considered to be good fire resistant plants, although no plant is completely fireproof. Succulent plants are fire resistant for a number of reasons:
- succulent leaves do not contain flammable oils or volatile chemicals
- there is a high moisture content in succulent plant tissue
- succulents seem to flourish in high risk fire areas which are often dry and sunny
- succulent plants mainly grow close to the ground.
Succulent Plants for the Desert
The most common variety of succulents for a desert region are cacti and there are a huge number of cacti to choose from including:
- Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) – native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Ocotillo cacti are shaped like a vase and have bright red flowers.
- Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus) – native to Mexico and Southwestern United States. The Hedgehog Cactus flowers in the spring and has ribbed stems.
- Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) – native to Mexico. The Golden Barrel Cactus grows up to three feet in diameter, has yellow spines and also yellow flowers in summer.
- Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia macrocentra) – is commonly found in desert regions of the American Southwest and Mexico. The Prickly Pear Cactus grows between four and six feet and produces blooms of various colors.
Many succulents survive beach conditions, such as salt spray and sand; they are often found in beach gardens in warm climates such as California, Florida, the Canary Islands and Spain. Such succulent plant species include :
- The Century Plant (Agave americana)
- Aloe (Aloe arborescens)
- Yucca (Yucca aloifolia)
- The Jade Plant or Money Tree (Crassula ovata)
- The Dragon Tree (Draceana draco).
The Wide Variety of Succulents
Succulent plants come in many shapes, sizes and color; often thought of as dull, colorless cacti, succulents can be as vibrant and colorful as any 'regular' plant. They require minimal attention and can survive long periods of time in harsh conditions; therefore, succulents are an ideal choice for gardens in hot, dry climates.
References:
Baldwin, Debra Lee 2007 Designing with Succulents USA: Timber Press
 |
 |
 |
