Botany · Ch 3 — Vegetative Morphology
Plant habitat
Plant habitat
Depending on where a plant grows, its habitat is classed as terrestrial (land-growing) or aquatic (water-growing, i.e. hydrophytes). Terrestrial plants are further grouped by their environmental adaptation: mesophytes grow where soil moisture is adequate (Azadirachta indica); xerophytes grow in dry habitats (Opuntia, Euphorbia); psammophytes grow rooted in sand (Ipomoea pes-caprae, Spinifex littoralis); and lithophytes grow on bare rock (many algae and lichens, Ficus species). Aquatic plants are grouped by how they relate to the water surface: free-floating plants float unattached on the surface (Eichhornia, Trapa, Pistia, Lemna); submerged plants grow entirely underwater (Hydrilla, Vallisneria); emergent plants are rooted in the substrate underwater but send shoots up into the air (Limnophyton, Typha); floating-leaved plants are rooted at the b …
| Types | Nature of environmental adaptation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mesophytes | Growing in soils with sufficient water | Azadirachta indica |
| Xerophytes | Growing on dry habitats | Opuntia, Euphorbia |
| Psammophytes | Growing on sand | Ipomoea pes-caprae, Spinifex littoralis |
| Types | Nature of environmental adaptation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Free Floating | Growing on water surface | Eichhornia, Trapa, Pistia, Lemna |
| Submerged | Plants growing completely under water | Hydrilla, Vallisneria |
| Emergent | Plants with roots or stems anchored to the substrate under water and aerial shoots growing above water | Limnophyton, Typha |
| Floating leaved | Anchored at bottom but with floating leaves | Nelumbo, Nymphaea |