Desert plants exhibit remarkable adaptations to survive arid environments.
Plants in the desert possess specialized characteristics that allow them to conserve water, stay cool, and perform essential functions like photosynthesis despite limited resources and extreme temperatures.
Based on survival needs in a dry climate, some key characteristics include:
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Waxy Covering: The leaves and stems of many desert plants have a thick, waxy covering. This layer serves a dual purpose:
- Keeping the plants cooler.
- Significantly reducing evaporative loss of precious water.
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Photosynthesis in Stems: In many desert plants, particularly those with reduced or absent leaves, the stems take over the role of photosynthesis.
- Plants like Ephedra (Mormon tea) and cacti carry out most or all of their photosynthesis in their green stems.
- Interestingly, what are commonly known as cactus pads are actually stems, modified to store water and perform photosynthesis.
These adaptations are crucial for desert plants to thrive where water is scarce and temperatures can be extreme.
