Where are the leaves on a cactus?

Question

Where are the leaves on a cactus?

Answer 1

The leaves on the cactus are grown on the top of the cactus head, and depending on the cactus they're red or yellow, I believe. And the thorns on a cactus r not the leaves, so don't believe that idiotic idea. And I should know this seeing is how I grew up in Az as a kid. Hope this helps u.

Answer 2

Spines are leaves that can no longer photosynthesize or exchange gases. The stem has adapted to supply those functions leaving the leaves to adapt to other uses.

Cacti adapted to extremely xeric conditions with high variations in temperature to harsh for delicate exposed leaves.  The leaves, becoming semi-vestigial, were put to a new use offering shade and surface shelter to the cacti.

Cactus spines grow as modified leaves

http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/mauseth/Resear...

Microscopic photographs show the minute leaves still present that all cacti produce leaves but most are microscopic.

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/08/17...

Evidence for the shift of leaf to thorn.

There are intermediate species like the relict genus Pereskia that have non-succulent stems and broad prominant leaves. Their existence supports the hypothesis that cacti evolved to the minuscule leaves & thorns most display

Pereskia aculeata var. godseffiana, (Lemon Vine) may resemble an ancestral form.

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week454.sh...

Answer 3

a cactus has no leaves

Answer 4

cactus don't usually have leaves, unless there is a bloom that is either starting, or is a flower spreading pollen.

Answer 5

The leaves of cactus are transformed into thorns to store water inside the stem .