ECOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS IN

PLANTS

Dr. CHANCHAL CHATURVEDI

ASSTT. PROFESSOR (BOTANY)
Dr. R.B. GOVT. NAVIN GIRLS P.G. COLLEGE ,
RAIPUR (C.G.)
 ADAPTAION

The adjustment or changes in behavior, physiology and structure of an organism

to become more suited to an environment is called adaptation.

• Ecological Adaptations in Plants

• Plants have adaptations to help them live and grow in different environments.
• Plants can survive in many extreme environments.
• On the basis of their water availability the plants have been classified as follows:
• 1. Xerophytes- Plants adapted to survive under the condition of very poor water
supply of available water in the habitats
• 2. Hydrophytes- Plants growing in or near water.
• 3. Mesophytes- Plants growing in an environment which is neither very dry or nor
very wet.
 Xerophytes characteristics

•1. Thick cuticle and multi layered epidermis present.

•2. Sunken stomatal cavity with hairs present.
•3. Reduction in stomata numbers.
•4. Stomata hidden in leaf surface (less exposure to wind and sun).
•5. Leaves reduced in size , or leaves drop off during dry season.
•6. Increased water storage in plant body.
•7. Thicker or fleshy leaves and stems present.
•8. Leaves covered with waxy layer.
•9. Deep taproots or wide spreading fibrous roots near the soil surface.
•10. Leaves modified into spines and sometimes stem becomes green.
Opuntia Acacia
Calotropis Aloe
 Pinus
Nerium
 Hydrophytes characteristics

•1. Thin cuticle layer present.

•2. Stomata open most of time or absent.
•3. Heterophylly present in plants.
•4. Large flat leaves on surface plants for flotation.
•5. Air chambers present for flotation.
•6. Reduction in roots (water can diffuse directly into leaves).
•7. Roots are feathery to hold up plant.
 Hydrilla

Stem Leaf
 Heterophylly

Vallisneria Sagittaria
Cyperus Eichhornia
• Thus adaptations help the organism to exist under the prevailing
ecological habitat.
• This explains why certain plants are found in one area, but not in
another.
THANK YOU