Question

Plants developing in dry conditions are called as
A. Xerophytes
B. Mesophytes
C. Lithophytes
D. Hydrophytes

Answer 1

Hint: Dry conditions are areas where there is a lack of sufficient liquid water for plants. Plants need water to survive and thus, they develop adaptation in dry conditions to retain or store water. Some examples of plants that grow in dry conditions are cacti, pineapple and gymnosperm species. These plants are found in deserts, alps, arctic, etc.

Complete answer: Plants are very versatile organisms that can adapt easily based on the environmental conditions provided. They are thought to be early inhabitants of Earth's surface. Plants can be found everywhere whether it is land, water, water-scarce conditions, or freezing cold environments. Xerophytes are plants that are majorly found in water-scarce regions like deserts, alps, or the arctic. They have some specialized modifications that enable them to survive in such extremely hot or cold regions with very less water availability. Cactus is a xerophytic plant and thus has modifications like a swollen stem that stores water and needle-shaped modified leaves that resist transpiration. Other examples are pineapple trees and various gymnosperm species that are found abundantly in cold regions. Thus, xerophytes are plants that are capable of growing in dry conditions.
a) Mesophytes are plants that grow in moderate conditions. They are found in not so wet and not so dry environments. Most of the plants are mesophytes.
b) Lithophytes are those plant species that are capable of growing over rocks or stones. These plants can be found in between the crevices of rocks or on withered rock surfaces.
c) Hydrophytes are simply water growing plants. They are found partially or fully submerged in water bodies. They have buoyancy as their characteristic modification.
Thus, the right answer is option A.

Note: Xerophytes have some special modifications that secure them from excess water loss. Based on the type of water retention mechanisms used by xerophytes, they are divided into subclasses. Succulent plants are xerophytes that retain water in their swollen stem or leaves. Non-succulent are true xerophytes as they endure a long and continuous shortage of water in the soil. Ephemerals are drought escaping xerophytes that do not endure the drought but escape it completing their life cycle before drought conditions arrive.