Download Adaptations of Plants

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 waterclogged 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?