Actually I couldn't care less.

Their primary assumption that evolution is driven by climate is inadequate.
Evolution is driven by a whole constellation of various environmental
factors.

They could spend a lifetime compiling that file and still not be any closer
to an answer. The whole idea is completely naive and ill conceived.

I would agree that it would be better they focus on one plant group,
particularly a single plant family, and try to establish a thorough working
knowledge of that group before trying to take on nebulous grandiose topics.


I don't agree with your assessment of the Cactaceae. The most primitive
genera are of woody shrubby species that gave rise to various genera of
vining, epiphytic and thick stemmed globose to columnar desert types. The
primitive genera are rarely grown by succulent plant hobbyists but they are
of the most interest to taxonomists.


Beverly Erlebacher wrote in message
. ..
In article ,
Iris Cohen wrote:
I am a first year student studying biology at university.And we have
to
elaborate a file whose subject is the evolution of some plants in
specific
climates, like cactus, nenuphares, algue and carnivorous plants.

Boy, is Cereoid going to chop you down! Your topic is much too broad.
Algae are
not even considered real plants, as far as I know. This reminds me of the
story
of the Roman soldier who came to Hillel and said, "Tell me all about the
Torah
while I am standing on one foot."

And Hillel told him: "Don't do to other people what you wouldn't want done
to yourself. The rest is commentary." Hillel has been remembered for
2000
years as a practical, kind and humane man, and some posters to this group
would certainly benefit from his advice.

I'd recommend the original poster pick one group of plants, find out the
scientific name, and do a web search for it until he or she finds some
reliable info on how it evolved and adapted to its difficult environment.
If it's too hard to find the info, pick a different group. Then hit the
library.

I think the original poster may be a Francophone. In English 'nenuphares'
are waterlilies, so using scientific names is important. Carnivorous
plants
are not a taxonomic group - this trait has arisen multiple times in
unrelated
groups of plants. IIRC, cacti were 'preadapted' to aridity by traits they
developed as epiphytes.

This is an interesting topic for a paper. Good luck!