Native to arid parts of North America, there are approximately 1600 species of cacti in the diverse Cactaceae family. In contrast, the plant family, Euphorbiaceae, located primarily in the desert environments of Africa and South Asia, is estimated to comprise of approximately 300 genera and over 7500 species of herbs, shrubs and plants. However, one genus in particular, Euphorbia, provides a stark comparison to the cacti of the Cactaceae family of North America, evident in numerous shared characteristics and aspects of development.
How has convergent evolution helped the North American Cacti of the Cactaceae Family and the African Euphorbias of the Euphorbiaceae Family to adapt to desert environments?
This website was created by Natasha Nguyen of Mr Devoy's Science Class, for educational purposes, as part of the Yr 10 Research Assignment.
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