The harsh environment where succulents usually grow causes many problems and the interactions between problems and solutions are often quite complicated.
I realise that studying a diagram like the one below is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are interested in the way succulents survive in nature, spending a little time on it may be well worth it.
Legend
abrasion: damage caused by strong winds transporting sand and small stones.
evapotranspiration: the process by which water is transferred from the earth to the atmosphere by evaporation from soil and water surfaces and by transpiration from plants.
evasion: avoiding an undesirable situation by hiding under bushes, in rock crevices etc.
life forms the shape and structure of a plant as a result from adaptation to its environment.
predator: an organism that obtains food by eating other animals or plants.
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