Question

Acacia arabica is a
A. Hydrophyte
B. Mesophyte
C. Xerophyte
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: In India, Acacia arabica is commonly known by the name of kikar. It is used to treat various diseases such as diabetes, skin diseases and cancer. Fresh parts of the plant are considered to be anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antidiarrhoeal and have a nice nourishing significance in Indian conventional treatment systems.

Complete answer:
> Hydrophytes are defined as plants that grow only on the surface of water or submerged inside water. These plants do not suffer from shortage of water. Also, these plants created the agency to discard excess water from the cells. Leaves of hydrophytes are broad and possess large numbers of stomata on the upper surface, which increases the rate of transpiration.
> Mesophytes are defined as plants which require only a moderate amount of water. These plants are adapted to average water requirements and average temperature. For example, corn, cucurbits and clover.
> Xerophytes are defined as plants which grow in dry environments. The leaves of xerophytes are bipinnate and little. There is an adaptation in xerophytes where the stomata is open only from time to time, so the rate of transpiration reduces to a large extent. Acacia has sunken stomata which serves as a protection against the moisture loss.

So, the correct answer is Option C - Xerophytes.

Note:
The genus Acacia is important as trees and shrubs belong to the legume family. About 1200 varieties of acacia is aboriginal to tropical Africa or Australia. This plant is widely scattered throughout the dry and semi-dry regions of the planet. Even the pods of acacia are utilised for the treatment of dry cough, impotence and urogenital infection.