What is the use of needle like leaves and sloped branches to cycas
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The Functions of Needle Leaves

Evergreen conifers are some of the oldest trees in the world, and for good reason. The needles hold several adaptive qualities that allow them to survive growing in areas that challenge most plants, such as places with heavy snowfall or where soils become very dry. These leaf adaptations make evergreen conifers remarkably resilient in the face of conditions that might kill their deciduous broadleaf cousins. Some of these adaptations serve multiple purposes, like preserving water and protection from the cold.
Retained Water
Needle-type leaves have a number of advantages when it comes to preserving water. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, considering the needle shape doesn't seem conducive to the collection of water on leaf surfaces like broad leaves might accumulate. However, needles have pit-like stomatae -- holes through which trees exchange water and gasses -- that collect water and bring it into the leaf. Furthermore, these needles are covered with a waxy coating, preventing water loss through transpiration.
Reduced Snow Damage
Because evergreen conifers tend to grow in areas where snow falls, needles have adapted to reduce damage from the accumulation of snow. Because needles are narrow, it's difficult for snow to remain on the leaves, and it falls to the ground. It only accumulates if there is a density of needles. However, the density of leaves also protects the tree. Outer trees in a grove may bear the brunt of snowfall, but inner trees don't accumulate snow as heavily, and temperatures are slightly warmer, reducing the potential for damage caused by cold temperatures.
Extended Photosynthetic Period
Needle leaves are very narrow, so they don't have a great deal of surface area to expose to the sun. Since plants generate food through photosynthesis, a process that converts light into energy for the plant, narrow leaves might not seem like a great tool for accomplishing this. However, because needles tend to grow in masses, the actual surface area exposed to the sun is greater than it seems. Also, evergreen needles can photosynthesize in winter, if necessary, and have a greater amount of time over the year in which to gather energy than trees that lose their leaves.Hope it helps! ^^

Evergreen conifers are some of the oldest trees in the world, and for good reason. The needles hold several adaptive qualities that allow them to survive growing in areas that challenge most plants, such as places with heavy snowfall or where soils become very dry. These leaf adaptations make evergreen conifers remarkably resilient in the face of conditions that might kill their deciduous broadleaf cousins. Some of these adaptations serve multiple purposes, like preserving water and protection from the cold.
Retained Water
Needle-type leaves have a number of advantages when it comes to preserving water. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, considering the needle shape doesn't seem conducive to the collection of water on leaf surfaces like broad leaves might accumulate. However, needles have pit-like stomatae -- holes through which trees exchange water and gasses -- that collect water and bring it into the leaf. Furthermore, these needles are covered with a waxy coating, preventing water loss through transpiration.
Reduced Snow Damage
Because evergreen conifers tend to grow in areas where snow falls, needles have adapted to reduce damage from the accumulation of snow. Because needles are narrow, it's difficult for snow to remain on the leaves, and it falls to the ground. It only accumulates if there is a density of needles. However, the density of leaves also protects the tree. Outer trees in a grove may bear the brunt of snowfall, but inner trees don't accumulate snow as heavily, and temperatures are slightly warmer, reducing the potential for damage caused by cold temperatures.
Extended Photosynthetic Period
Needle leaves are very narrow, so they don't have a great deal of surface area to expose to the sun. Since plants generate food through photosynthesis, a process that converts light into energy for the plant, narrow leaves might not seem like a great tool for accomplishing this. However, because needles tend to grow in masses, the actual surface area exposed to the sun is greater than it seems. Also, evergreen needles can photosynthesize in winter, if necessary, and have a greater amount of time over the year in which to gather energy than trees that lose their leaves.Hope it helps! ^^
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