Dyckia sp from santa Catarina

The perfect strategy:
This baby is a sight to behold and one of the silveriest leaf undersides among Santa Catarina Dyckias.
The plant uses this to reflect the sun during hard times. When dehydrating occurs the plant lifts up its leaves and protects the growing area from burning . This way the plant forms a shield with the growing fragile point inside.



Dyckias frequently sacrifices parts of themselves in order to protect the growing point.
The tips of the leaves or the whole leaf may be sacrificed in order to give water and nourishment
to the fragile center of the plant. Roots are also used this way and frequently a Plant in wilderness bears just hairy dried roots. Normal absorbing roots are light colored and as fragile as fine crystal, you touch and it breaks easily.