INDIAN GEOGRAPHY

Detailed explanation-1: -What are mesophytes? Unlike hydrophytic plants, such as water lily or pondweed, that grow in saturated soil or water, or xerophytic plants, such as cactus, that grow in extremely dry soil, mesophytes are ordinary plants that exist between the two extremes.

Detailed explanation-2: -Explanation: Opuntia and Cactus are belongs to Xerophytes group. Xerophytes are species of plants which are adapted to dry/desert areas and survive in an environment with little liquid water. For example, Cactus is a xerophyte that has white hairs which help to prevent water loss.

Detailed explanation-3: -Xerophytes such as cacti are capable of withstanding extended periods of dry conditions as they have deep-spreading roots and capacity to store water. Their waxy, thorny leaves prevent loss of moisture.

Detailed explanation-4: -Since mesophytes prefer moist, well drained soils, most crops are mesophytes. Some examples are corn (maize), cucurbits, privet, lilac, goldenrod, clover, and oxeye daisy.

Detailed explanation-5: -Physical characteristics. Cacti are succulent perennial plants. Cacti generally have thick herbaceous or woody chlorophyll-containing stems.