ADAPTATIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN

PLANTS
Plant adaptations can be
structural,

behavioural or

physiological.
All adaptations make organisms better suited to their

ecosystem and provide them with a better chance of

survival and reproduction, which are their ultimate aims.

The adaptations that arise from competition are essential

for the process of evolution.

Survival of the fittest means survival of those best

adapted.
Structural adaptations in plants

Structural adaptations of plants are the physical features, which allow them to

compete.

Eg: formation of spines in cacti and roses

shallow roots

large leaves

Flower’s colours
Behavioral adaptations in plants
•Behavioral adaptations of plants are behaviors which give
them an advantage.
Eg : All plant shoots grow quickly towards the light
Plant roots which grow downwards
 https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/videos/venus-flytrap
-catches-and-close-calls/749323333092266/

•Venus flytrap have evolved structural and

behavioral adaptations to catch insects.
•The flytrap itself is a structural adaptation and the
closing of the trap to catch an insect is a behavioral
adaptation.
Physiological adaptations in plants
•Physiological adaptations of plants are processes
which allow them to compete.
Nettle plant Deadly nightshade

Eg: formation of poisons for

defense.
 ADAPTATIONS OF CACTUS AS A DESERT PLANT
• Stems that can store water.
• Widespread or very deep root systems that
can collect water from a large area or from
very deep underground.
• Spines which are modified leaves. These
minimise the surface area and so reduce
water loss. The spines also protect the cacti
from animals that might eat them.
• Very thick, waxy cuticle to reduce water loss
by evaporation.
• Reduced number of stomata to reduce water
loss by transpiration.
ADAPTATION IN RAINFOREST
• The following adaptations allow plants to survive in the conditions of the
rainforest.

• Lianas - these are woody vines that have roots in the ground but climb up
the trees to reach the sunlight. Their leaves and flowers grow in the canopy.
• Tree trunks - these are tall and thin to
allow trees to reach the sunlight. The bark
on these trees is smooth to allow water to
flow down to the roots easily.

• Drip tips - plants have leaves with pointy

tips. This allows water to run off the leaves
quickly without damaging or breaking
them. Drip tip
•Buttress roots - large roots have
ridges which create a large
Buttress
surface area that help to
roots
support large trees.

•Epiphytes - these are plants

which live on the branches of
trees high up in the canopy.
They get their nutrients from the
air and water, not from the soil.

Epiphytes
 ADAPTATION IN COLD ENVIRONMENT
• In order for plants to survive in cold
environments they have had to adapt to the
extreme conditions found there. These Cushion plant
unique adaptations include:
• Cushion plants - these are compact, low
growing plants. These characteristics help
them to survive in cold and windy conditions.
They trap airborne dust and use it as a
source of nutrients. Arctic
• Arctic poppy - this has a hairy stem to poppy
retain heat. The flower can track the sun in
the sky to maximize the amount of sunlight it
receives so that it can increase
photosynthesis.
• Cotton grass - this grass has small
seeds that can easily be dispersed
by the wind to ensure its survival. It is
low lying to protect it from cold winds
and has thin leaves to reduce water
loss by transpiration. Cotton grass
grows and produces seeds quickly as
soon as the temperature increases.
• Lichen - this organism does not need Cotton grass
soil to grow. It grows very slowly, can
withstand very cold temperatures and
survives beneath snow

Lichen
PLANT ADAPTATIONS IN THE TROPICAL SAVANNAH

• Tropical savannas present plants with dry soil, periodic fires and threats from
herbivores. Plants that commonly grow in tropical savannas have made
adaptations that allow them to withstand long periods of dryness, survive fires
and protect themselves from grazing animals.
THE ACACIA TREE'S ADAPTATIONS ALLOW IT TO
SURVIVE IN THE TROPICAL SAVANNA.
WATER RETENTION

Grasses in tropical savannas generally grow

quickly during times when they get adequate
water. When water becomes scarce, they turn
brown to minimize water loss. They store nutrients
and moisture in the roots while waiting for rain.
Some trees only produce leaves during the wet
season. These leaves tend to be small to retain
water. Trees also can store water in trunks and
use their long roots to reach deep water sources.
Some plants also have specialized storage
organs such as bulbs and corms.
 FIRE RESISTANCE
Grasses keep a supply of nutrients and water
in the roots below the ground. As such, they can
survive fires that usually only affect the parts
of the plants above ground. Fire actually
replenishes the soil with nutrients, encouraging
plant growth. After a fire, the acacia tree can
re-sprout from the root crown, which is located
under the ground and suffers no significant
damage from a fire. Some plants in the
tropical savannas use heat and smoke from a
fire for germination. Others also have bark or
leaves that protect the lower layers of the
plants.
 PROTECTION FROM HERBIVORES
Grasses in the tropical savannas grow from the base instead of
the tips, so that they can immediately continue growing even if
the tips are burned or eaten. Grasses also often contain
substances that discourage animals from eating too much, for
example by wearing down the animals' teeth or releasing toxins
or unpleasant tastes. The acacia tree has sharp thorns to
discourage herbivores from feeding on it. It also produces nectar
that ants find attractive. The ants live in acacia thorns and
protect the tree by stinging animals that eat the leaves. The ants
also protect the tree from other insects. The acacia tree also
pumps a poisonous alkaloid into its leaves when an animal feeds
on them. The unpleasant substance stops the animal from eating
more leaves. The acacia tree also releases a chemical into the
air, prompting other acacia trees in the vicinity to pump the
alkaloid into their leaves.
ADAPTATION IN AQUATIC
• Aquatic plants predominantly grow in water. They vary greatly in type, with some being quite
similar to common land plants while others are quite different. Aquatic plants fall into one of four
common class types: algae, floating plants, submerged plants and emerged plants. Grouping is
based on the positioning of their roots and leaves.
• Algae
• Algae are the oldest and most common type of aquatic plant. They are found primarily in the
ocean and they have no roots, stems or leaves. Algae are extremely small but they are the basis
of the ocean food chain.
• Floating-Leaved Plants
• Floating plants are not attached to the water's bottom, but they have roots which absorb water.
Floating plants can be found in fresh or salt water. The leaves of these plants are firm and remain
flat in order to absorb more sunlight. Common examples of floating plants include various types
of lilies (such as the water lily or banana lily) and the water hyacinth.
Algae Water hyacinth
• Submerged Plants
• Submerged or submersed plants are rooted to the water's floor and most of their
vegetation is under water. The leaves of these plants are thin and narrow.
Examples of submerged plants include hydrillas.

• Emerged Plants
• Emerged plants (also known as emersed) are rooted to the ground of the water
but have most of their vegetation above water. These plants need constant
exposure to sunlight. Examples of emerged plants include knotweed and redroot.
Hydrilla Red root