Xerophytes

Xerophytes are plants which can survive in an environment with little or no water in the atmosphere,
they have many adaptions to features such as morphology and physiology that either reduce water
loss, or store water for use in dry periods.

One of the main adaptions that a xerophyte has, is that it can; control the allocation of water, and
reduce the rate of evaporation to the atmosphere.

Most people think of xerophytes as being found in the desert but on the other hand they are also
found in frozen climates where water cannot be absorbed when it is frozen, in this environment the
plants usually go “Dormant”

Other adaptations of the plant include fine hairs on the surface of the leaves which act as a wind
break, reducing the amount of water carried away by the wind, compacted leaves so that there is
less of a surface area, swollen tissues where water is stored, and the reduction of permeability of the
epidermal layer as well as closing the stomata during the day and open at night, and finally they
have very deep roots systems to try and reach water that will not have been heated and evaporated
by the sun.

Stoma on the inside of rolled leaves creates local humidity anddecreases exposure to air currents
because water vapour evaporates into air space rather than atmosphere.

All of these adaptations are still here because of a process called natural selection, or survival of the
fittest, “Only those best suited to their environment will survive to pass on their genes” this is how
the adaptations have survived, as in a harsh environment such as one without much water, any
adaption that is beneficial to the plant will help, therefore these genes were passed down the
generations.