B io Factsheet

January 2001 Number 84

Xerophytes and Hydrophytes

Xerophytes are plants which are morphologically adapted to dry conditions Since the water offers buoyancy, aquatic hydrophytes often possess poorly
i.e. arid or semi arid environments. It is wrong to say that all xerophytes developed root systems as nutrients are absorbed by the epidermal cells).
prefer dry conditions - many grow better in moist environments than dry
environments - however they do have the innate capacity to respond to Aerial and submerged leaves on the same plant may be morphologically
and survive drought conditions. In contrast, hydrophytes are adapted to different-such plants are said to show dimorphism.
grow in habitually wet environments. This Factsheet compares Xerophytes
and Hydrophytes.
Common examples
Perhaps the best known Xerophytes are succulents such as the Cactacea. Xerophytes:
Typically, succulents possess: Ammophila arenaria (marram grass), Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine)
• extensive, shallow root systems, for rapid absorption of even light
rainfall. Hydrophytes:
• large, thin-walled cells in stems and roots for water storage Potamogeton natans (Broadleaved Pondweed), Nymphaea alba (Water
• low surface area : volume ratio Lily)
• roots which quickly grow new root hairs following rainfall
• high concentrations of pentose compounds which may increase the
water holding capacity of cells
Exam Hint -The most common exam questions:
1. Ask you to suggest reasons for the adaptations of named xerophytes
Xerophytes possess many other features which:
and hydrophytes – they may give you common examples e.g.
Ammophila, Pinus (xerophytes), Potamogeton, Nymphaea
1. Increase their ability to absorb any available water. (hydrophytes) or really unusual ones, but it doesn’t matter because
2. Reduce their water loss. the principles are exactly the same.
2. Give you a drawing of part of a plant and then ask you to suggest
These features include: and explain what type of habitat it grows in.
• pale, waxy, hairy or scaled leaves, which are therefore highly reflective
(this reduces their temperature, hence reduces water loss).
• thickened epidermis to reduce cuticular transpiration.
• reduced leaf area. E.g. replacement of true leaves by thorns (cactus/ Fig 1. TS stem Potamogeton natans (Broadleaved Pondweed)
gorse). (Stems may be green and photosynthetic to compensate for the
loss of leaf area).
• reduced number and size of stomata.
• sunken stomata e.g. Erica and Privet. Stomata may also be in grooves
or surrounded by hairs. The effect of these adaptations is to create a
pocket of water vapour which hence decreases water loss by
transpiration.
• well-developed sclerenchyma or other mechanical tissue (prevents vascular
collapse due to wilting) bundles
• well-developed tap roots.

In contrast, hydrophytes are often found growing in water. The water

offers support so hydrophytes need little mechanical supporting tissue
(sclerenchyma) and instead have parenchyma with many air spaces; such
tissue is called aerenchyma. The water reduces both the amount of light parenchyma
reaching the plant and the speed of gaseous diffusion ( gases diffuse through
liquids slower than they do through air). In order to maximise the amount
of light available for photosynthesis, aquatic hydrophytes often possess:
• large thin leaves
• epidermal cells which contain chloroplasts
• much aerenchyma for rapid gas exchange and flotation (Fig 1)
• Thin cuticle

Remember - carbon dioxide is readily soluble in water but oxygen is thin epidermis
not. Oxygen thus accumulates in the aerenchyma which acts as an
oxygen 'store'. Aerenchyma may also transport oxygen from the aerial many air spaces
parts to submerged parts - a process aided by the movement of the
plant caused by water currents.

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Xerophytes and Hydrophytes Bio Factsheet

Fig 2. TS Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine) needle

phloem water-conducting cells (tracheids

with bordered pits)
fibers parenchyma
endodermis

mesophyll (parenchyma
cells containing
chloroplasts)

hypodermis of fibers
epidermis with thick cuticle
guard cells of sunken stomata

Fig 3. TS leaf of marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) Fig 4. TS leaf of Water Lily (Nymphaea)

thick cuticle
on outer
vascular bundle
epidermis
multi layered
sunken hinge cells palisade tissue large air cavity
stomata
thin walled epidermis small
photosynthetic vascular
tissue bundle
hairs

guard spongy
sclerenchyma cell mesophyll
stoma
abaxial
(lower)
surface
without
adaxial
stomata
abaxial (outer) (upper)
epidermis surface
with thick cuticle adaxial epidermis
large sclereid
unicellular hair (mechanical support)
fibres
sheath of
small
fibers
hinge cells allow
leaf to roll up, xylem
shielding stomata
from external phloem
atmosphere mesophyll cells

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Xerophytes and Hydrophytes Bio Factsheet

Practice Questions State and explain the significance of three features of this stem which
are typical of plants which are found in aquatic environments.
1. The diagram shows a section through the leaf of the xerophytic plant,
Marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) which grows on sand dunes. Feature 1. 1
Significance. 2
thick cuticle on
outer epidermis vascular bundle Feature 2. 1
sunken Significance. 2
hinge cells
stomata
Feature 3. 1
photosynthetic Significance. 2
hairs
tissue Total 9
sclerenchyma Answers
1. (a) plant adapted to growing in arid/dry conditions/adapted to
preventing water loss; 1

(b) small leaf surface area : volume ratio/rolled up leaf reduces surface
area so reducing water loss/area exposed to sun/wind;
(a) Define the term xerophyte. 1 outer epidermis has no stomata;
outer epidermis has thick cuticle;
(b) State and explain the xerophytic features shown by Ammophila.5 so reducing evaporation loss;
hairs reduce air movement around stomata and so reduce water
Total 6 loss/hold moist air around stomata;
hinge cells shrink if high transpiration rate occurs, causing leaf to
2. The diagram shows details of the cells in the lower (abaxial) surface of roll up tighter/more thus reducing water loss; max 5
a holly leaf. Total 6
A
2. (a) (i) guard cells;
1
(ii) chloroplasts; 1

(b) xerophytes are plants adapted to living on arid/dry conditions/have

features which reduce water loss;
chamber in front of stomatal pore will reduce air movement;
thus increase immediate humidity/decrease diffusion gradient/water
loss;
thickened cuticle reduces evaporation loss; max 3
Total 4
B
3. (a) Feature: large/many air spaces/aerenchyma; 1
(a) Name : Significance: provide buoyancy/helps leaf to float on/near surface;
(i) Cells A. 1 where light intensity is high/oxygen/CO2 available;
stores/transports oxygen; max 2
(ii) Organelles B. 1
Feature: thin epidermis/no cuticle; 1
(b) Explain why the arrangement of cells shown may be described as a Significance: helps/speeds up gas exchange;
xerophytic adaptation. 3 no problem with transpiration loss; 2
Total 5
Feature: central vascular bundles; 1
3. The diagram shows a part of a transverse section through the stem of
Significance: peripheral ‘cylinder’ of vascular bundles found in
Broadleaved Pondweed (Potamogeton nutans).
terrestrial plants gives strength/rigidity to stems
which is not needed (in an aquatic environment);
holds flowers above water allowing pollination/seed
dispersal; max 2
Total 9

Acknowledgements;
This Factsheet was researched and written by Kevin Byrne
Curriculum Press, Unit 305B, The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham. B18 6NF
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