Adaptation is any attribute of the organism to survive and reproduce in its habitat. Many adaptations have evolved over a long evoltionary time and are genetically fixed. It is of two types– temporary and permanent. e.g. Shrinking of pupil due to bright light is temporary adaptation while change of forelimbs in feathers for fly in birds is permanent adaptation.
Following adaptation is found in plants of deserts–
(a) Its roots are long, thick and goes deep in the soil.
(b) Its stems are flesly and thick for storage of water.
(c) To check loss of water due to vapourisation, stems are generally cuticlised and fill with dense hairs.
(d) Leaves are changed into small scales and spines, which decreas loss of water due to vapourisation.
(e) Leaves have suitable tissues for storage of water.
(f) Stomata are embeeded in stomatal cavity. Example of xerophytic plants are – Opuntia, Euphorbia, Argemone, etc.
