Question

Write the features of a desert plant.

Answer 1

Hint:The desert is an uncomfortably rough, water-scarce region. Plants developing in desert areas are referred to as xerophytes, e.g. Cactus, Ananas, etc. Via mechanisms to avoid water loss or to store water resources, these plants adapted to survive in a dry habitat.

Complete answer
To answer this question, we have to know about the desert plans in detail. Desert plants have figured out a way to cope with the harsh circumstances of life and survive when other plants do not. Aridity is the only aspect that distinguishes the desert, the main constraint that desert species must adjust to.

Desert plants (Xerophytes) have developed three main adaptive strategies which includes
i) Succulence (storing water),
ii) Drought tolerance
iii) Drought avoidance.

Succulent plants cover fleshy leaves, stems or roots with water. Whenever it rains, these plants with dense leaves and stems are capable of storing water and have formed holding sacks in their stems that expand during those periods when it is needed to hold water. There are extensive, shallow root systems of almost all succulents. The cacti are all succulent.

Desert plants can tolerate dehydration without dying. Such plants have evolved to go dormant when resources are scarce, and these plants come out and start growing when water becomes available again. Especially in comparison to those of plants in wetter climates, the roots of drought resistant shrubs and trees are vast, occupying an area up to twice the diameter of the canopy.

Note:Adaptations to water storage involve paint, wax, fur, and/or spines that are succulent and defensive coverings. Some xerophytes cover their stomata with a waxy coating, thereby curbing the loss of water. Others comprise very few stomata, or stomata, which open only when it's cooler at night. Each of these modifications reduces the lack of moisture and enables the xerophytic plant to live in dry environments.