“Evolution taught us that adaptation is the key to survival!”— Gemma Malley

Xerophytes are plants which need very little water and are adapted to desert areas. They belong to the succulent family. Common Xerophytes are Cacti, Prickly Pear, Barbary fig and Agave. To survive the harsh weather conditions they have special features such as:

The tiny hairs on their surface act as windbreak, reduce air flow and decrease the rate of evaporation.
The colour of the plant or the waxy coat reflects sunlight and reduces evaporation.
Few plants store water in roots, trunks, stems and leaves.
In times of drought they drop their leaves.
During dry times, xerophytic plants may stop growing and go dormant.

While Xerophytes have evolved for survival and adapted to arid regions there are many factors such as climate change, erosion and human encroachment on desert land which pose a risk to their survival.

A tryst with nature #xerophytes