Adaptations of

Plants
Xerophytes and Hydrophytes
Adaptations of Plants
 Plants can survive in many extreme
environments.
 Xerophytes – Desert Plants Hydrophytes
 – Water Plants (live in ponds, rivers and
swamps)
 In order to survive in these environments,
these plants need to have adaptations.
Xerophyte
s
Xerophyte
Adaptations
 Well established root
systems.
 Grow deeply and in all
directions in order to
anchor the plants in
sandy soil and against
the wind.
 Helps to maximize water
uptake.
Xerophyte
Adaptations
 Short Life Cycles  Thickened, Waxy
 Grow from seeds to Cuticle
mature plants, produce  Prevention of water loss
flowers, fruits and because the cuticle
seeds in a short prevents the water that
amount of time. the leaves already have
 These few days can from escaping due to the
coincide with the few high heat and intense
days of rain. sunlight.
Xerophyte
Adaptations
Xerophyte
Adaptations
 These plants only open
their stomata in the dark
at night.

The cooler
temperatures allow the
plant to take up CO2
through their stomata
without sacrificing
water.
Hydrophyte
s
Adaptations of Hydrophytes
 Have lots of air spaces
in their tissues.
 This helps them to float
in water.
Adaptations of Hydrophytes
 Roots in water-
clogged soil are called
‘Breathing Roots’ or
‘Pneumatophores’.
 These roots grow to
reach the surface
above the water in
order to obtain CO2 to
survive.
 Marshes or Swamps
Adaptations of Hydrophytes
 Again, if you were in that environment, what
would you need to survive?
 To breathe underwater?
 To float on the water?
• The roots float freely in the water
• The stems and leaf stalks have hollow spaces; filled with air
• The leaves for water hyacinth hav estomata on both surfaces
• Thinner cuticle