This pdf is about the basic characteristics of xerophytes and hydrophytes

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF XEROPHYTES
AND HYDROPHYTES
Presented By: Shumaila Mishal
Roll No: 11111
Subject: Botany
Section: BS-Chemistry

2. CONTENT
 Xerophytes
Habitat
Adaptation
Characteristics
Hydrophytes
Habitat
Adaptation
Characteristics

3. Xerophytes
•A xerophyte (xero meaning dry,phyte meaning plant)
is a plant which is able to survive in an environment
with low availability of water
•Plants found in very cold and icy conditions are also
xerophytes as the water in the ground is frozen and
not available to them
•e.g; Cactus, Aloe vera, Pineapple, Snake Plant
 Basic Principle
Reduce the transpiration

5. Adaptation of Xerophytes
Leaves
Small, thick or spine form
Roots
Large roots for absorption of water
Stem
Contains of water storage tissues ( Succulent organ)

6. Adaptation of Xerophytes
Stomata
Present on lower surface of leaves
Located in depression ( Sunken stomata)
e.g ; Cactus
cactus

7. Characteristics Of Xerophytes
A thick waxy cuticle
Water can be lost by transpiration through the cuticle , however a thick and
waxy cuticle helps minimize water loss
Sunken Stomata
Their stomata located in pits, which reduce air movement
Reduced Stomata
Reducing the number of stomata in the leaves reduce the amount of water loss
by transpiration but it does reduce the amount of gas exchange can take place
as there are less of them

8. Characteristics Of Xerophytes
Curled leaves
They minimize the surface area of the leaf directly exposed to sunlight and wind,
thus minimizing evaporation and water loss
Reduced leaves:
An example of reduced leaves is Cacti have very few leaves or thin needles and
minimizing the amount of water lost in transpiration.
Root adaptations
Long roots that grow into the ground and a lot of roots that are widespread and
are shallow are able to absorb water that is available near the surface

9. Hydrophytes
• A hydrophyte (hydro meaning water , Phyte meaning
plant)
•These plants live in fresh water
•It is important that the leaves float in surface water
plants and water-logging is a major problem for
hydrophytes.
•These plants do not contain roots.
•They have broad or large leaves
•e.g; lotus , Hydrilla
Basic Principle
Loss of excess amount of water
Water lily

11. Adaptation Of Hydrophytes
Root
•Poorly developed or reduced or absent
•Entire plant surface can absorb water
•Jussiaea repens ; Two types of roots
1.Floating root
• Spongy, negative geotrophic , help in floating
2.Adventitious root
• Below water surface
Jussiaea Repens

12. Adaptation Of Hydrophytes
Stem
•Delicate, green in colour
•Modified into rhizome
Leaf
1. Submerged plant
Dissected leaf
2.Floating plant
Large , entire , green , thin , smooth
e.g; Sagittaria Sagittaria

13. Characteristics Of Hydrophytes
A thin cuticle
Their cuticle is thin because they are already present in water and the rate of
transpiration is maximum
Stomata
Stomata is always open on the upper surface and number of stomata is
maximum on the upper surface because lower surface is directly attached with
water
Roots
They have small roots and feathery. These are designed to take in oxygen from
the water

14. Characteristics Of Hydrophytes
Flat leaves
Some aquatic plants float on the surface of water;most aquatic plants have flat
leaves which act as floatation to a portion of a plant.
Air Sacs
Many hydrophytes have air chambers that help the plant float on the surface of
the water. Some aquatic plants will float slightly submerged in the water , such as
water lilies

15. Characteristics Of Hydrophytes
Aerenchyma
Aerenchyma is the type of paranchyma tissue in which air spaces are present
those are filled with air
Aerenchyma

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