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Name: John N.
Status: other
Age: 50s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 5/22/2003
Question:
Why do some fruits like kiwis and peaches and cactus fruit have hairs or needles?

Replies:
I am not an evolutionary botanist, but I would suspect it is a deterrent to insects and other critters who would want to make supper of the peach or cactus.

Vince Calder

Adaptations/structures serving a variety of functions, usually protection and dispersal.

http://protea.worldonline.co.za/fruit.htm

http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/botany/parts_fruit.html

Anthony Brach, Ph.D


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