Cacti and bromeliads are succulent plants that are adapted to survive in hot, dry climates with prolonged drought. Some key adaptations include reduced or absent leaves, thick waxy stems that store water, spines or trichomes that reduce water loss, shallow roots, and undergoing Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis. CAM allows the plants to take in carbon dioxide at night and store it as malic acid to be used during photosynthesis the next day, allowing them to keep their stomata closed during the heat of the day to minimize water loss through transpiration. These adaptations make cacti and bromeliads suitable to grow in temperate regions where water is limited.