Question

Describe the anotomical adaptaions of xerophytes​

Answer 1

1. Absorbent hairs and root caps are well developed in Opuntia.
2. Roots can become fleshy to store water, as in asparagus
3. In succulent xerophytes, the stems have a water storage region (thin-walled parenchyma cells)
4. The non-succulent xerophyte stems have a very thick cuticle, a well-developed epidermis with thickened cell wall, several layered and sclerenchymal hypoderms, e.g. Casuarina.
5. The stems have depressed stomata and well developed vascular and mechanical tissues.
6. The leaves have well-developed cuticles, succulent leaves in Aloe, multilayer epidermals in Nerium, sclerenchymatous and several stratified hypoderms in Pinus, bulliform cells in Sugarcane.
7. The mesophyll is well differentiated and the vascular and mechanical tissues are well developed.