What are the adaptations shown by xerophytes?
Xerophytes 1) Limits the water loss – Thick leathery cuticle in Aloe – Waxy stomata (in prickly pear) – Sunken stomata(in pine), – Opening of stomata at night(in tea plant), – CAM photosynthesis(in cactus) – [Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is a carbon fixation pathway present in some plants. Suchplants fix CO2 during the night, storing it as the four-carbon acid malate. The CO2 is released during the day, where it is concentrated around the enzyme RuBisCO, increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis. The CAM pathway allows stomata to remain shut during the day, reducing evapotranspiration; therefore it is especially common in plants adapted to arid conditions] – Large hairs on the surface(in bromeliads) – Curled leaves(esparto grass) helps these xerophytes to limit the loss of water. 2) Water storage – Succulent leavess in Bryophyllum. – Succulent plant stem in Euphorbia – Fleshy tuber in Raphionacme helps in the water storage. 3) Uptake of water – Acacia has deep root system helps
