Adaptation in plants:

Xerophytes
These are plants that grow in places with scanty water such as deserts and sandy hills. The plant is
modified so that it can withstand prolonged periods of drought conditions without getting harmed.
The following parts of the plant undergo modification.

Root - Produce a long taproot that grows deep into the soil in search of water.E.g. Alhagi

Leaf- Undergo various types of modifications in order to reduce transpiration(loss of water

through the leaves), or even store water.

In Acacia and Prosopis the leaves are reduced in size.

In Calotropis the epidermis of the leaf is covered with fine hair.
In Nerium there is multiple epidermis and sunken stomata.
In Opuntia (prickly pear) and Euphorbia the leaves are reduced to spines.

Stem: In Opuntia the stem performs the function of storage of reserve water and so becomes
thick and fleshy. It also turns green because of the presence of chlorophyll as it performs
photosynthesis. The epidermis of the stem is covered with a waxy layer to prevent loss of
water.

Mesophytes
These are plants that grow under average conditions of temperature and moisture. This group of
plants is intermediate between Xerophytes and Hydrophytes. They show the following adaptations.

Root - The root system is well developed with the taproot in dicotyledons and fibrous roots in
monocotyledons.

Stem - The stem is solid and well branched.

Leaves - The leaves are green and well developed. They are provided with cuticle. The
leaves have stomata on the lower surface.

Example:
Mango, Maize, Tomato and Wheat

Hydrophytes
These are plants that grow in water or in very wet places. They may be floating, rooted and floating
or submerged. The following are the adaptations found in this group.

Root - The root system is poorly developed as in Eichhornia or absent as in Ceratophyllum

Stem - The stem may be reduced as in Lemna (Duckweed) or may be long, slender, flexible
and spongy as in Nelumbo (Lotus). The spongy nature is due to the large air spaces which
makes them buoyant.

Leaves - The leaves may be thin and finely dissected as in Hydrilla or ribbon-like as in
Vallisneria. In Nelumbo the leaves are large and flat with their upper surface coated with wax.
Stomata are found only on the upper surface in floating plants. They are absent in
submerged plants.

Why Transpiration is a Necessary Evil:

i. Transpiration has paramount importance as transpiration pull help in ascent of sap and
influence the rate of water absorption by plants.
j. Transpiration cause cooling thus controls the internal temperature of plant body.
k. It helps in gaseous exchange, besides the above importance transpiration cause.
l. Water deficit in plant resulting wilting permanent wilting or death of plants.
m. It causes shedding of leaves.
n. Unnecessary wastage of water from soil and plant body.
o. Structural adoptions required with expense of tissue in xerophyes.
Inspite of above diadvtages plant cannot avoid transpiration, for which curtis (1926) called
transpiration as a necessary evil.