xerophyte

xerophyte
xerophytic /zear'euh fit"ik/, adj.xerophytically, adv.xerophytism /zear"euh fuy'tiz euhm, -fuy tiz'-/, n.
/zear"euh fuyt'/, n.
a plant adapted for growth under dry conditions.
[1895-1900; XERO- + -PHYTE]

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plant
 any plant adapted to life in a dry or physiologically dry habitat (salt marsh, saline soil, or acid bog) by means of mechanisms to prevent water loss or to store available water. Succulents (succulent) (plants that store water) such as cacti and agaves have thick, fleshy stems or leaves. Other xerophytic adaptations include waxy leaf coatings, the ability to drop leaves during dry periods, the ability to reposition or fold leaves to reduce sunlight absorption, and the development of a dense, hairy leaf covering.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Xerophyte — Xérophyte Un pourcentage significatif d euphorbiaceaes sont succulentes, dont certaines, comme ci dessus, ressemblent étonnamment à des cactaceae. Ces deux familles ont adopté les mêmes stratégies face au stress hydrique. On parle de convergence… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • xérophyte — [ gzerɔfit; kse ] n. f. • 1819; de xéro et phyte ♦ Bot. Plante xérophile. Des xérophytes. ● xérophyte nom féminin Plante capable de vivre dans des régions habituellement sèches (déserts) ou dans des milieux physiologiquement secs (sols salés).… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • xerophyte — (n.) 1906, from XERO (Cf. xero ) + Gk. phyton a plant (see PHYTO (Cf. phyto )) …   Etymology dictionary

  • xerophyte — [zir′ə fīt΄] n. [ XERO + PHYTE] a plant structurally adapted to growing under very dry or desert conditions, often having greatly reduced leaf surfaces for avoiding water loss, thick, fleshy parts for water storage, and hairs, spines, or thorns… …   English World dictionary

  • Xérophyte — Un pourcentage significatif d euphorbiaceaes sont succulentes, dont certaines, comme ci dessus, ressemblent étonnamment à des cactaceae. Ces deux familles ont adopté les mêmes stratégies face au stress hydrique. On parle de convergence évolutive …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Xerophyte — The Joshua tree is an example of a xerophyte. A xerophyte or xerophytic organism (from Greek xero dry, phuton plant) is a plant which has adapted to survive in an environment that lacks water, such as a desert. Xerophytic plants may have adapted… …   Wikipedia

  • xerophyte — noun Date: 1897 a plant adapted for life and growth with a limited water supply • xerophytic adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • xerophyte — noun a) Any plant suited for life in a habitat where water is scarce, such as in a desert or chaparral. Such plants may be succulent, have small or reduced leaves, or spines. b) A desert …   Wiktionary

  • xerophyte — [ zɪərə(ʊ)fʌɪt, zɛ ] noun Botany a plant which needs very little water. Derivatives xerophytic adjective …   English new terms dictionary

  • xerophyte —   adj. xerophytic. Drought tolerant plant, e.g. many species of Dioon and Encephalartos.   Cf. hydrophyte, mesophyte …   Expanded glossary of Cycad terms

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