Question

Plants growing in shady regions are
A. Sciophytes
B. Xerophytes
C. Epiphytes
D. Heliophytes

Answer 1

Hint: These plants are also known as shade loving plants. Java moss, funaria, cacao, hot pepper, ginger, etc. are some examples of this type of plant.

Complete Answer:
- Shades tolerance in ecology refers to the ability of a plant to withstand low levels of light. The term is also used for horticulture and landscaping, though it is often imprecise in this context, especially with regard to the labelling of plants for sale in commercial nurseries. Various plant species show various shade adjustments. In fact, depending on their history or stage of growth, a specific plant may have different levels of shade tolerance or even light requirements.
- Sciophytes are trees or plants which love the shade. These plants have greater photosynthetic units than heliophytes or sun plants. Sciophytes, which only achieve saturation at 20 percent of sunlight, are also known as photophobic plants.
- In essence, shade plants adopt techniques for efficient energy usage and energy conservation.
- Xerophyte is a plant species that adapts to live in a low-liquid water climate, like a desert or an ice or snow covered Alps or Arctic area. Cacti, pineapple and some gymnosperm plants are typical examples of xerophytes.
- An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the plant's surface and derives its humidity and nutrients from the air, rain, water and accumulated around it. Epiphytes engage in nutrient cycles and contribute to the ecosystem's diversity and biomass like any other organism.
Sun-loving plants or heliophytes are those that require full exposure to the sun for optimal growth. Some examples of these plants are mullein, thyme, ling, soft velcro, white clover, roses, etc.

Thus, the correct answer is option A i.e., Sciophytes.

Note: All soil plants need sunlight to thrive except some parasite plants. In general, however, the survival of plants is not always encouraged by greater sunlight. Plants under direct sunlight face drying and UV exposure and must use energy-producing pigments to block UV light and waxy coating in order to avoid loss of water.