Main characteristics of xerophyte plants: The Greek prefix xero- means dry in contrast to hygro- (wet) and meso- (intermediate). Xerophyte Meaning. These are hence called 'true xerophytes' or euxerophytes. [2], In an environment with very high salinity such as mangrove swamps and semi-deserts, water uptake by plants is a challenge due to the high salt ion levels. An example is the white chalky epicuticular wax coating of Dudleya brittonii, which has the highest ultraviolet light (UV) reflectivity of any known naturally-occurring biological substance.[9]. Find more opposite words at wordhippo.com! Stomata closure not only restricts the movement of water out of the plant, another consequence of the phenomenon is that carbon dioxide influx or intake into the plant is also reduced. When one of the main molecules involved in photosynthesis, photosystem II (PSII) is damaged by UV rays, it induces responses in the plant, leading to the synthesis of protectant molecules such as flavonoids and more wax. In periods of severe water stress and stomata closure, the cuticle's low water permeability is considered as one of the most vital factor in ensuring the survival of the plant. Many succulent xerophytes employ the Crassulacean acid metabolism or better known as CAM photosynthesis. As the epidermis of the plant is covered with water barriers such as lignin and waxy cuticles, the night opening of the stomata is the main channel for water movement for xerophytes in arid conditions. In a windier situation, this localisation is blown away and so the external water vapour gradient remains low, which makes the loss of water vapour from plant stomata easier. Xerophyte, any plant adapted to life in a dry or physiologically dry habitat (salt marsh, saline soil, or acid bog) by means of mechanisms to prevent water loss or to store available water. The plants which survive drought are, understandably, small and weak. 1. xerophytic - adapted to a xeric (or dry) environment; "cacti are xerophytic plants"; "xerophytic adaptations" These lipids become more fluid when temperature increases. During desiccation, the levels of the sugars sucrose, raffinose, and galactinol increase; they may have a crucial role in protecting the cells against damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. Anatomical Features. Xerophytes are a group of plants that live in very dry regions. IPA: /ˈzɪərəʊfaɪt/ Noun xerophyte (pl. This is especially important in East Asian countries where both humidity and temperature are high. Xerophytes are plants of the arid regions. The leaves are waxy and thorny that prevents loss of water and moisture. Popular examples of xerophytes are cacti, pineapple and some Gymnosperm plants. Plants that live under arctic conditions also have a need for xerophytic adaptations, since water is unavailable for uptake when the ground is frozen, such as the European resurrection plants Haberlea rhodopensis and Ramonda serbica. xerophyte (pl. Xerophytes synonyms, Xerophytes pronunciation, Xerophytes translation, English dictionary definition of Xerophytes. Seeds may be modified to require an excessive amount of water before germinating, so as to ensure a sufficient water supply for the seedling's survival. xerophytes) ( botany ) Any plant suited for life in a habitat where water is scarce , such as in a desert or chaparral . The plants that are adapted for living in these habitats are called xerophytes, mesophytes, and hydrophytes, respectively. 3. Saturated lipids are more rigid than unsaturated ones i.e. This phenomenon was observed in xeromorphic species of Cactaceae, Crassulaceae, and Liliaceae. Showing page 1. Such plants may be succulent , have small or reduced leaves , or spines . Transpiration is natural and inevitable for plants; a significant amount of water is lost through this process. An example of leaf surface reduction are the spines of a cactus, while the effects of compaction and reduction of branching can be seen in the barrel cacti. A xerophyte (from Greek ξηρός xeros dry, φυτόν phuton plant) is a species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water, such as a desert or an ice- or snow-covered region in the Alps or the Arctic. Plants may secrete resins and waxes (epicuticular wax) on their surfaces, which reduce transpiration. Shedding leaves is not favourable to plants because when water is available again, they would have to spend resources to produces new leaves which are needed for photosynthesis.[11]. Some plants can store water in their root structures, trunk structures, stems, and leaves. A xerophyte (from Greek ξηρός xeros dry, φυτόν phuton plant) is a species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water, such as a desert or an ice- or snow-covered region in the Alps or the Arctic. H. scoparium is under protection in China due to it being a major endangered species. Spines and hairs trap a layer of moisture and slows air movement over tissues. xerophyte translation in English-Telugu dictionary. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. or most of their body […] [22], Recent years has seen interests in resurrection plants other than their ability to withstand extreme dryness. Since roots are the parts responsible for water searching and uptake, they can detect the condition of dry soil. [12] They use signals or hormones sent up from the roots and through the transpiration stream. In dry environments, a typical mesophytic plant would evaporate water faster than the rate of water uptake from the soil, leading to wilting and even death. Thus, the seed and plant can utilise the water available from short-lived rainfall for a much longer time compared to mesophytic plants.[6]. Under normal conditions, violaxanthin channels light to photosynthesis. 1. During dry times, resurrection plants look dead, but are actually alive. In a still, windless environment, the areas under the leaves or spines where transpiration takes place form a small localised environment that is more saturated with water vapour than normal. : Ferns generally lack some of the more typical adaptations of xerophytes, such as a thick hypodermis, sunken stomata, and CAM photosynthesis. They may be dormant during drought conditions and are, therefore, known as drought evaders. [11], Most plants have the ability to close their stomata at the start of water stress, at least partially, to restrict rates of transpiration. This adaptation is exhibited by some Agave and Eriogonum species, which can be found growing near Death Valley. Water deficiency usually reaches 60–70% of their fresh weight, as a result of which the growth process of the whole plant is hindered during cell elongation. This is the meaning of xerophyte: xerophyte (English) Origin & history xero-("dry") + -phyte ("plant") Pronunciation. The CAM photosynthetic pathway absorbs the humidity in small spaces, effectively making the plant such as Sansevieria trifasciatas a natural indoor humidity absorber. Besides having anti-oxidant properties, other compounds extracted from some resurrection plants showed anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Xerophytic plants exhibit a diversity of specialized adaptations to survive in such water-limiting conditions. Roots may become fleshy to store water as in Asparagus. In fact, in northwest China, the seeds of three shrub species namely Caragana korshinskii, Artemisia sphaerocephala, and Hedysarum scoparium are dispersed across the region. Find out all about Xerophytes : meaning, pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, origin, difficulty, usage index and more. Translate Xerophyte. [10]. Even their fleshy stems can store water. An extreme environmental pH and high salt content of water also disrupt plants' water uptake. Multibhashi’s Telugu-English Dictionary will help you find the meaning of different words from Telugu to English like meaning of ‘Andamina’ meaning of Adbhutham and from English to Telugu like meaning of Awesome, meaning of stunning, etc. Prime examples of plants employing the CAM mechanism are the pineapple, Agave Americana, and Aeonium haworthii. XEROPHYTES 25 is a valid Scrabble Word in NWL, formerly TWL (USA, Thailand, Canada) XEROPHYTES 25 is a valid Scrabble Word in CSW, formerly SOWPODS (Other Countries) XEROPHYTES 24 is a valid word in WWF. Xerophytic plants are used widely to prevent desertification and for fixation of sand dunes. [11], Evaporative cooling via transpiration can delay the effects of heat stress on the plant. xerophyte: a plant that is adapted to growing in areas with low or irregular supplies of water. The leaves are often vestigial, as in the case of cacti, wherein the leaves are reduced to spines, or they do not have leaves at all. Any plant suited for life in a habitat where water is scarce, such as in a desert or chaparral. The color of a plant, or of the waxes or hairs on its surface, may serve to reflect sunlight and reduce transpiration. It is also dubbed the "dark" carboxylation mechanism because plants in arid regions collect carbon dioxide at night when the stomata open, and store the gases to be used for photosynthesis in the presence of light during the day. Some xerophytes may also be considered halophytes, however, halophytes are not necessarily xerophytes. However, high light levels promote the reversible conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin. A small proportion of desert plants even use a collaborated C3-CAM pathway. What is the Tamil word for Xerophyte. Malayalam meaning and translation of the word "xerophyte" the size of the stoma opening, leaf area (allowing for more stomata), temperature differential, the relative humidity, the presence of wind or air movement, the light intensity, and the presence of a waxy cuticle. Xerophytes adapt various features according to their climate, geography and requirements. 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