ABSTRACT
describes the vegetation that is adapted to living in dry conditions. Drought-resistant plants have some of the following features:
thick, corky barks to cut down transpiration
bulbous trunks made of spongy wood that stores water
widespread branching root systems to gather water from the widest possible area
large proportion of the biomass is below the surface
small leaves to cut down the surface area through which water can be lost
sunken stomata that only open at night to allow respiration, and to take in carbon dioxide for the subsequent production of organic matter during the day
waxy surfaces on the leaves to help reduce water loss
reduced surface area by having spines instead of leaves
folded leaves with the stomata inside
deep penetrating roots that seek water at depth (tap roots).
