Xerophytic Adaptations

• xero → dry || phytic → plant
• plants growing in dry places

1.   Scotoactive Stomata

• stomata opens at night
  • conserves water by ↓ transpirational losses
• Photoactive stoamta ➡️ opens during daytime

2.   CAM Pathway

• Dark reaction happening at night
  • absorption of CO₂, H₂O
  • opening of stomata
  • prodⁿ of biomass
  • O₂ ↟
• CAM ➡️ Crassullacean Acid Metabolism
  • Other examples:
    • peepal
    • tulasi
    • neem
    • pineapple
    • cactus refer: Photosynthesis

3.   Leaf modifications

• thorns
• spines

4.   Small Leaves

• reduced surface exposure under the sun

5.   Succulents

• Special tissue ➡️ store water

6.   Modified stems and roots

• fleshy stem
• hairy roots
• as found in cactus

7.   Ephimerals

• especially grow in presence of water ➡️ monsoon
• survive dry conditions in dormant state
  • Desert Blooming