Adaptations of Plants

Xerophytes and Hydrophytes

Adaptations of Plants

Plants can survive in many extreme environments.

Xerophytes – Desert Plants Hydrophytes – Water Plants (live in ponds,

rivers and swamps) In order to survive in these environments,

these plants need to have adaptations.

Xerophytes

Xerophyte Adaptations

Well established root systems. Grow deeply and in all directions in order to anchor the

plants in sandy soil and against the wind. Helps to maximize water uptake.

Xerophyte Adaptations

Short Life Cycles Grow from seeds to mature plants, produce flowers,

fruits and seeds in a short amount of time. These few days can coincide with the few days of rain.

Thickened, Waxy Cuticle Prevention of water loss because the cuticle prevents the

water that the leaves already have from escaping due to the high heat and intense sunlight.

Xerophyte Adaptations

Xerophyte Adaptations

Many desert plants are called C4 or CAM plants. These plants only open their stomata in the dark at night. The cooler temperatures allow the plant to take up CO2

through their stomata without sacrificing water.

What can help you to remember the adaptations? Imagine you are in that environment. What would

you need?

Hydrophytes

Adaptations of Hydrophytes

Have lots of air spaces in their tissues. This helps them to float in water.

Adaptations of Hydrophytes

Roots in water-clogged soil are called ‘Breathing Roots’ or ‘Pneumatophores’.

These roots grow to reach the surface above the water in order to obtain CO2 to survive.

Marshes or Swamps

Adaptations of Hydrophytes

Again, if you were in that environment, what would you need to survive?

To breathe underwater? To float on the water?