Xerophytes are plants that live in conditions of water scarcity. Places where there is scarcity of water are called xeric habitats. Xeric habitats are of two types:
(i) Physically dry habitats are those in which water cannot be retained (deserts, rock surfaces).
(ii) Physiologically dry habitats have plenty of water, but the water is not available to the plant.
Types of xerophytes
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Xerophytes arc plants that can withstand conditions of water scarcity and the adaptations in such plants aim at the following.
(i) Absorb more water from the surroundings
(ii) Retain water in their organs
(iii) Reduce transpiration
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(iv) Reduce utilisation of water basing on their adaptation to water scarcity or drought conditions, xerophytes are classified, into the following.
(i) Drought resistant plants
(ii) Drought enduring plants
(iii) Drought escaping plants (ephemerals)
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Drought resistant plants develop features (adaptations) that enable them to survive in extreme conditions; drought enduring plants can tolerate drought though they
may not have distinct adaptation; drought escaping plants are short-lived that complete their life cycles before dry j conditions are reached (ex. Artemisia, Astragalus).
Basing on their capacity to store water, xerophytes are classified as succulents and non-succulents Succulents like Opuntia, have their organs swol- len due to accumulation of water, whereas non-succulents are considered as true xerophytes.