Biology Project Xerophytes

Xerophytes

The color of a plant, or of the waxes or hairs on its surface, may serve to reflect sunlight and reduce transpiration.

• Introduction
• Adaptations

• Structures
• Functions

Introduction to Xerophtyes

A xerophyte is a species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water, such as a desert or snow-covered region or the Arctic.

Structure and Functions of Xerophytes

Xerophytes plants get most of their structure and support from their stem, as the thick fleshy tissure holds it up.

Stomatas are present in xerophytes, its stomata is hidden in crypts or depressions in leaf surface (less exposure to wind and sun).

Xerophytes have a vascular system consisting of xylem and phloem tissues

Adaptations of Xerophytes

The xylem tissues assist in transpiration, as the woody pipelines pull the water up to the stomata. The phloem tissues are also very important as they transport the water and minerals to all areas of the plant through their sieve like systemThe phloem tissues are also very important as they transport the water and minerals to all areas of the plant through their sieve like system.

Xerophytes develop a thick and waxy cuticle which helps plant to reduce the excessive loss of water by the process of transpiration, thus they minimise the rate of transpiration in the leaf.a thick and waxy cuticle which helps plant to reduce the excessive loss of water by the process of transpiration, thus they minimise the rate of transpiration in the leaf.

Xerophytes have succulent leaves and stems to store large amount of water.

Xerophytes have a well developed root system and the roots of a xerophyte plant extend much further than a normal plant to help the plant to absorb maximum amount of water from the soil

Reynard TjongG11 Science