Cactus Anatomy in 3D: Spines, Water Store, Flower and Roots
A cactus is built to survive in the desert, storing water in its thick stem and protecting it with spines. In the 3D Plant Anatomy simulator you can turn a cactus around, zoom into each part, slice it open and watch water flow through it in X-ray.
Explore in 3DFour ways to see the cactus
Whole plant
Cross-section
X-ray water flowCactus quick facts
| Plant group | Flowering plant, cactus family |
|---|---|
| Native to | The Americas |
| Leaves | Changed into spines |
| Water | Stored in the thick stem |
| Roots | Mostly shallow and wide |
Inside the cactus
Slice a cactus stem and you find soft, spongy tissue full of stored water, wrapped in a thick waxy skin that stops it drying out. The green stem does the job leaves do in other plants, making food from sunlight.
Parts of the cactus
In the Parts up close view you can tap each of these parts to zoom in:
- Flower
- Bright cactus flowers often open for just a day or two to attract pollinators.
- Flower bud
- A bud forms on the stem and swells before it bursts open into a flower.
- Spines
- Spines are leaves that changed shape. They cut water loss and keep thirsty animals away.
- Fruit
- The juicy fruit is packed with tiny seeds that animals spread when they eat it.
- Water store
- The thick green stem swells like a sponge to store water for dry months.
- Inside the stem
- Tubes inside the stem carry water and food, wrapped in soft storage tissue.
- Storage cells
- Big, thin-walled cells hold the water, so the cactus can survive long droughts.
- Roots
- Shallow roots spread wide to catch rain the moment it falls.
Interesting facts about the cactus
- A cactus stores water in its thick, spongy stem.
- Its spines are leaves that have changed shape, cutting water loss and keeping thirsty animals away.
- The green stem makes food from sunlight, the job leaves do in most plants.
- Many cacti have shallow roots that spread wide to soak up rain fast.
- Almost all cacti come from North and South America.
More plants in 3D
Cactus anatomy questions
Why do cacti have spines?
The spines are changed leaves. They lose far less water than flat leaves and protect the cactus from animals.
How does a cactus store water?
In soft, spongy tissue inside its thick stem, sealed in by a waxy skin.
Do cacti have flowers?
Yes. Many cacti grow bright flowers, often for just a short time.
Where do cacti come from?
Almost all cacti are native to North and South America.
The 3D Plant Anatomy simulator is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up.