Plant adapatations

Geophyte

Perennial plants with underground storage organs

Halophyte

Perennial plants adapted to wetland environments, roots underwater stems & leaves above. Very tolerant in high salinity areas. Aerial roots known as pneumatophores. Mangroves are an example

Hydrophyte

Aquatic plants adapted to live in water or waterlogged soil. Emergent, submerged, or floating. Aerenchyma, thin/absent waxy cuticles, stomata on the upper surface to reach water, reduced root system, and flexible submerged tissue

Psamophytes

Grows in sandy, unstable soils such as dunes, beaches, adn deserts. Adapt to extreme, arid, or saline environments. Helps sablize sand and nutrient cycle. Deep roots. Reduced hairy leaves to minimze transpiration, rapid growth mechanisms.

Sciophytes

Shade tolerant grows in low light areas. Photosynthesis works at 20% sunlight. Maximze absorption through thinner larger leaves, increase chlorophyll, and lens shaped epidermal cells

Heliophytes

High light intensity, need a ton of sun. Smaller thicker leaves and double layers plus more carotenoids to protect against radition. Sometimes folded or hairy leaves, thick waxy cuticles to reduce water loss, and high light compensation point. Efficient gas exchange by stomata to reduce water lost.

Xerophytes

Adapt to extremely dry conditions with minimal water (not just sandy soil). Extensive root system for better water uptake, fleshy tuber and succulence (thick) for water storage, smaller leaves to reduce water lost

Mesophytes

Moderate moisture and average temps. Broad, thin leaves for max sunlight, stomata on lower leaf for reduced transpiratino. Good root system. Basic

Lithophytes

Grow on rocky surfaces or environments. Modified root system for anchoring in crevices. Nutrient uptake from rain and dust, succulent tissue to mangage extreme water scarcity

Epiphytes

Grow on the surface of other plants for support, but aren’t parasitic. Nutrients from air and rain. Succulence, nutrient gathering tanks or trichomes, efficent nutrient uptake from organic debris. Aerial roots to hold onto other plants. Spongy, white layer (velamen) that absorbs water vapor.