How do desert plants survive by storing water in their tissues?

Many desert plants are adapted to store water in fleshy leaves, stems, or roots, which helps them survive long droughts. Cacti and other succulents often have waxy surfaces, reduced leaves, and shallow widespread roots that absorb brief rain quickly. Some open their stomata at night using CAM photosynthesis, which reduces water loss in the heat of the day. Water-storing tissues can swell after rain and slowly supply the plant when conditions are dry. These adaptations let plants thrive in deserts where rainfall is rare and unpredictable.