AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A xerophyte (from Greek xeros ‘dry’ + phuton ‘plant’) is a species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water, such as a desert such as the Sahara or places in the Alps or the Arctic. Popular examples of xerophytes are cacti, pineapple and some Gymnosperm plants.

Detailed explanation-2: -xerophyte, any plant adapted to life in a dry or physiologically dry habitat (salt marsh, saline soil, or acid bog) by means of mechanisms to prevent water loss or to store available water. Succulents (plants that store water) such as cacti and agaves have thick, fleshy stems or leaves.

Detailed explanation-3: -Xerophytes are plants that can tolerate dry conditions (such as deserts) due to the presence of a number of adaptations: Reduced leaves – reducing the total number and size of leaves will reduce the surface area available for water loss.

Detailed explanation-4: -I. Xerophytes are adapted to survive in hot deserts where there is very little water. II. Xerophytes can be found in the snow covered Alps and the icy Arctic.

Detailed explanation-5: -Certain xerophytes have a waxy covering over their stomata, thus curbing water loss. Others contain very few stomata, or stomata that only open at night when it’s cooler. Each of these adaptations limits water loss and allows the plant to survive in dry environments.