Cacti in the deserts of southwestern north america and some euphorbs of the deserts of africa, have barrel-shaped stems, short-lived leaves, and spines, yet these two types of plants are from different evolutionary lineages. this is an example of
The similar morphology of the two group of plant is an example of CONVERGENT EVOLUTION. Convergent evolution refers to the process whereby organisms that are not closely related independently evolved similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environment or similar ecological niche.
