Adaptation – Plants

Adaptation to the hot weather:

Ø Desert plants reduce the size and number of leaves to prevent the loss of water.

Ø Some plants have long roots to reach water sources beneath the soil.

Adaptation to the light:

Ø Lianas climb over other plants so that it can receive more sunlight.

Ø Plants have dark green leaves with red underside. The red serves to reflect light back into the leaf.

Ø Grapes have tendrils that cling onto support.

Ø Morning glory has twining vines.

Ø Some plants have clasping roots to climb by tendrils with disk-like adhesive tips that attach themselves to any surface.

Adaptation to getting more water:

Ø Cacti store water in their stems. They keep their stomata closed during the day to prevent loss of water.

Ø Deciduous plants shed their leaves to prevent the loss of water.

Ø Some plants slow growth to help use less water, food and energy during the hot season.

Ø Some plants have long roots so that they can obtain water from deep under the ground.

Aquatic plants’ adaptation:

Ø All floating plants have either air spaces trapped in its roots or large air spaces to help it float to obtain sunlight.

Ø They have air on its leaves to trap air.

Ø Water hyacinth has swollen stem at the base of its leaves to help it float.

Ø Duckweed leaves are small and the tiny roots dangle below the water surface.

Ø Water lily (partially-submerged plant) have large floating leaves. The flat round leaves have a waxy water repellent upper side and are able to float on water.