The document discusses plant adaptation, defining it as the adjustment of organisms' behavior, physiology, and structure to their environments. It categorizes plants into five groups based on their adaptations: mesophytes, xerophytes, hydrophytes, epiphytes, and parasitic plants, each with distinct examples and characteristics. The information emphasizes how these adaptations enable plants to survive in their specific habitats.

1. PLANT ADAPTATION
Prof. Dr. M Sayadur Rahman
CAS, IUBAT
1

2. Defination of Adaptation
The adjustment or changes in behavior, physiology,
and structure of an organism to become more suited
to an environment.
It is derived from latin word “adaptare ” which means
“to fit”.
2

3. Plant Adaptation
Plants have adaptations to help them live and grow in different
areas. These adaptations might make it very difficult for the
plant to survive in a different place. This explains why certain
plants are found in one area, but not in another. For example,
you wouldn't see a cactus living in the Arctic. Nor would you
see lots of really tall trees living in grasslands.
3

4. 5 Groups according to adaptation
1. Mesophyte
2. Xerophyte
3. Hydrophyte
4. Epiphyte
5. Parasitic
4

5. Mesophyte
(Plant grow in normal Soil)
Mesophytes commonly grow in
sunny, open areas such as fields or
meadows, or shady, forested areas.
Although they are sophisticated
plants with a number of highly
evolved survival mechanisms,
mesophytic plants have no special
adaptations for water or for
extreme cold or heat.
Example: Corn, Maize, Rice, Mango,
Cucurbits etc.
5

6. Characteristics of Mesophytes
► Mesophytes do not have any specific morphological adaptations.
► They usually have broad, flat and green leaves.
► An extensive fibrous root system to absorb water.
► The ability to develop penetrating organs such as corms, rhizomes
and bulbs to store food and water for use during drought.
6

7. Xerophyte
(Plant grow in desert)
A xerophyte is a species of
plant that has adaptations
to survive in an
environment with little
liquid water, such as a
desert or an ice- or
snow-covered region.
Example: Cactus, Alovera,
Pineapple, Oleander,
Peyote.
7

8. Characteristics of xerophytes
► Thick cuticle.
► Stomatal closure.
► Reduction in of stomata.
► Stomata hidden in crypts or depressions in leaf surface (less
exposure to wind and sun).
► Reduction in size of transpiration surface (lower leaf only).
► Increased water storage.
8

9. Hydrophyte
(A plant which grows only in or on water)
Hydrophytes are the plants which live
completely or partially submerged in fresh
water. Such plants do not face the problem of
water shortage. They have developed
mechanisms for the removal of extra water
from their cells. Hydrophytes have broad leaves
with a large number of stomata on their upper
surfaces. This characteristic helps them to
remove extra amount of water.
Example: Water lily, Victoria Amazonica, Azolla,
Lemna, Salivina.
9

10. 3 Types of Hydrophyte
1.Free floating plants: These plants float freely on the water surface. The entire plant
is suspended on the water, allowing the plant to be moved around the pond by wind
and water currents. Example: Lemna, Salivina, Azolla, Wolffia, Pistia.
2. Submerged hydrophytes: Submerged plants are rooted plants with flaccid or limp
stems and most of their vegetative mass is below the water surface, although small
portions may stick above the water. Example:Hydrilla, Utricularia, Chara,
Ceratophyllum.
3.Marshy plants: In general, the plants that “belong” near the lagoon (in the
wetlands) are low-growing and salt-tolerant, with floppy stems (not erect) and
having special ways of growing in salty soil and of ridding themselves of excess salt.
Example: Marsilea, Sagittaria, Typha.
10

11. Characteristics of Hydrophytes
► Flat Leaves.
► Feathery Roots.
► Air Sacks for flotation.
► Buying Aquatic Plants.
► Incresed of Stomata.
► Stomata open most of time.
11

12. Epiphyte
(Some plant grow on other
plant)
An epiphyte is an organism that
grows on the surface of a plant
and derives its moisture and
nutrients from the air, rain,
water (in marine environments)
or from debris accumulating
around it.
Example: Spanish moss, Brassia
caudata, Aerides falcata.
12

13. Characteristics of Epiphytes
► Epiphytes obtain water from rain and water vapour in the air.
► Most absorb water with their roots, though many have specialized
leaves that also take in moisture.
► While some minerals are obtained directly from rain, nutrients are
generally absorbed from the debris that collects on the supporting
plants.
13

14. Parasitic
(Some plants grow in other
animals)
A parasitic plant is a plant that
derives some or all of its
nutritional requirement from
another living plant. They make
up about 1% of angiosperms
and are found in almost every
biome.
Example: Corpse flower,
Monster, Dodder, Australian
Christmas tree.
14

15. Characteristics of Parasitic
► Reduced size for accommodation in the host
► Suitable shape for their hapitats
► Lack of senses or locomotary organs
► Presence of thick,resistant outer covering
► Presence of specialized mouth parts
► Presence of penetrating and attachment organs.
15

16. THANK YOU
16