DENDROLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Leaves shrink to thorns: When the leaves shrink to thorns, the surface area is reduced for transpiration. This reduces the water loss. Decrease in the number of stomata: It is understood that the number of stomata is directly proportional to the transpiration rate.

Detailed explanation-2: -Small leaves-these ensure that less water is lost from the plant by transpiration because the leaf has a smaller surface area.

Detailed explanation-3: -leaf. Oleander is adapted to dry conditions. Stomata are sunken into stomatal crypts and bordered by trichomes, reducing transpiration.

Detailed explanation-4: -Narrow leaves enable plants to shed heat through sensible heat loss during summer droughts, without the need for transpirational cooling. Additionally, small leaf dimensions confer a capac-ity for high transpiration when evaporative demand is low and water is abundant (i.e. winter).