Plant Adaptations to Living in Wet Places

What is an adaptation? A trait that allows organisms to survive

their environment. Examples?

What stresses does living in the wet places put on plants? Unstable soil Salt (if it is brackish or salt water) No oxygen to the roots

Why no oxygen to the roots? Bacteria in the soil use oxygen Water keeps air from reaching the soil,

so the used up oxygen does not get replaced.

Foldable 8 tabs 4 per side

Outside=name of the adaptation Inside=picture/description of the

adaptation Inside=how it helps the plant survive

Aerenchyma Enlarged holes in

the stem Allows oxygen to

be transported down to the roots

Buttressing Flared out base of

the trunk Provides stability Increases surface

area to allow for more oxygen to be brought into the plant

Fluting Folds in the base

of the trunk Increases surface

area for increased gas exchange

Pneumatophores aka knees Extra trunks Increased surface

area for increased gas exchange

Adventitious roots Above ground

roots Allows for more

oxygen intake

Hypertrophied lenticels Enlarged openings

in the trunk Allows more

oxygen to come in

Floating leaves Leaves float (duh) Allows for gas

exchange Better for

photosynthesis

Salt glands Excrete salt from

plants Maintains

homeostasis

Seen in a lot of saltwater marsh plants such as Spartina alterniflora