Succulenta

Succulenta is a broad term used to describe plants that have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves, stems, or roots, adapted to store water in arid or soil-poor environments. The word "succulent" itself derives from the Latin word "sucus," meaning juice or sap. This water-storage capability allows succulents to survive long periods of drought that would be fatal to most other plant species.

The diversity within succulents is immense, encompassing a wide range of plant families, not all of which are closely related. Common examples include cacti, aloes, agaves, echeverias, sedums, and sempervivums. While many succulents are native to desert regions, they can also be found in other environments such as savannas, coastal areas, and even tropical forests, where they might grow as epiphytes, drawing moisture from the air.

Succulents typically exhibit adaptations such as a reduced surface area to volume ratio, a waxy or hairy cuticle to minimize water loss through transpiration, and specialized photosynthetic pathways (CAM photosynthesis) that allow them to open their stomata at night to absorb carbon dioxide, thus reducing water loss during the hot day. Their root systems are often shallow and widespread to capture infrequent rainfall effectively. Due to their unique characteristics and generally low maintenance requirements, succulents have become popular houseplants and ornamental garden plants worldwide.