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Plant Adaptation: Cacti and Ocotillo

Related Article: Learn more about plants.

Many plants have adapted to survive dry deserts by regulating their growth cycle to remain dormant during the dry season or by storing water for use during the dry seasons.

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HowStuffWorks.com Videos: Botany MRSS Feed

Hawaii's Plants and Animals (3:05)

Watch this episode of Eco Geeks about Hawaii's plants and animals on HowStuffWorks. Over 90% of the plants and animals that live in Hawaii exist no where else in the world. Learn about Hawaii's plant and animal life in this episode of Eco Geeks.

Vampire Weed Attacks Other Plants (1:34)

Watch this video about an aggressive vampire weed on HowStuffWorks. This weed sniffs out prey, wraps itself around the victim plant and sucks the nutrients out of it. Learn how the vampire weed works in this video from ScienCentral.

Genetic Code: Video Quiz (1:27)

This segment offers a quiz for students on the subject of genetics.

Essential and Endangered: Grassland Animals (4:11)

Ruminants, owls, harvester ants, and prairie dogs are some of the animals that have developed special adaptations to survive in the grasslands.

Genetics: Fertilization and Meiosis (1:36)

Learn about the process of fertilization and meiosis.

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G Word: Mangoes 101 (2:29)

In this clip from Planet Green's "G Word," Stephen Brooks gives us a taste of one of the most popular fruits in the world-- the mango.

NextWorld: Seed Vault (1:57)

Learn more about the 'Doomsday' Seed Vault, intended to safeguard the planet's precious agricultural legacy in this video from Discovery Channel's "NextWorld" series.

Discovery Earth: Disney Gardens Ditch Dirt (1:25)

The Epcot Land Pavilion has nothing to do with Mickey Mouse, unless you count the pumpkin. Check out this video to see Disney's thriving hydroponic gardens.

Assignment Discovery: Abiotic and Biotic Factors (1:21)

Discovery Channel's "Assignment Discovery" explores the abiotic and biotic factors in a plant's ecosystem. Biotic factors refer to living organisms in the plant's environment, while abiotic factors include all non-living things such as soil and... More »

Assignment Discovery: Amorphophallus Plants (0:46)

Amorphophallus plants grow in Asia and are known for their horrible smell. The odor is used to attract insects and birds. Learn more about these plants on Discovery Channel's "Assignment Discovery."

Assignment Discovery: Arctic Tundra Poppies (1:00)

Certain plant species have been able to develop unique responses to grow in the harsh Arctic tundra climate. Poppies are no exception. Learn more about these sun-seekers in this clip from Discovery Channel's "Assignment Discovery."

Assignment Discovery: Germination of a Seed (1:18)

Germination of a seed is the process in which the seed breaks apart, and the embryo inside begins to grow with the help of water and nutrients from the soil. Learn more in this clip from Discovery Channel's "Assignment Discovery."

Assignment Discovery: Modified Leaves (2:28)

Plants have specialized leaves that adapt to their environment. Some plants grow spikes to protect them from predators, while others grow traps for insects. Learn more about modified leaves on Discovery Channel's "Assignment Discovery."

Assignment Discovery: Plant Reproduction (1:30)

Plant reproduction occurs in flowers when an egg and sperm unite to create an embryo. The process in which the sperm is passed along is called pollination. Learn more about plant reproduction on Discovery Channel's "Assignment Discovery."

Assignment Discovery: Seed Dispersal (1:01)

On Discovery Channel's "Assignment Discovery," learn about the process of seed dispersal in plants and its significance in growing fruit.