Xerophytic plants: what are they, characteristics and examples

The etymology of the word xerophyte takes us back to ancient Greek, where we find the two words that actually form it: phyto or phytón, which means plant, and xero, whose meaning is dry. Hence, we can say in a general way that xerophytic plants are those that have adapted to water scarcity . Thanks to the modification of their leaves, stems and roots, they are able to absorb and retain water for long periods of time to survive extreme climates.

Xerophytic plants have long roots, very small leaves with few pores in general, but there are also some that have thorns. Thus, we can differentiate several types of xerophytic plants :

Xerophytes with spines

The best example of this type of xerophytic plants are those belonging to the cactus family. These are covered by thorns both on the stem and on its leaves. Here you can see various types of cacti .

Succulent Xerophytes

These types of xerophytic plants stand out for having fleshy leaves capable of storing liquids such as water or latex. In addition, they generally have a wide stem and wide leaves, as in the case of plants belonging to the Crassulaceae family. Succulents are among the most resistant to long periods of drought and are also often a source of food and water for other animals in the environment, including humans. In this link you will see 21 succulent plants with flowers: names, characteristics and photos .

Xerophytes with coiled and serrated leaves

Most of the plants belonging to this group are shrub-like. Its leaves are hard, toothed and dark green on the upper side and gray on the underside.

Xerophytes with hair and foliar wax

Typical of the Mediterranean climate, they stand out for the presence of a gray hairiness that covers their leaves completely. Clear examples of this type of xerophyte are some of the best known aromatic plants such as sage, lavender or rosemary. In addition, one of their main advantages is that thanks to the adaptation of their leaves they are able to reduce the loss of water produced by the transpiration process and, in the same way, keep the temperature of the plant stable throughout the year.

Xerophytes with a greater number of stomata

Within this group are the Lithops, which comprise a genus of succulent plants with more than 100 species; they are also known as rock plants. These, despite having few leaves, manage to survive thanks to their number of stomata that remain closed while waiting for the rain or the necessary humidity.

Xerophytes with deep roots

Here we find mostly trees with a strong root system, longer and thicker than most. Thanks to it, the plant manages to collect and retain the water that is stored in the subsoil to be able to survive long periods of drought or grow in semi-desert areas.

These are the characteristics of the most important xerophytic plants :

• The main characteristic of xerophytic plants is that they are plants that have evolved to conserve the water they need for optimal growth and development in extreme weather conditions.
• These plants have a thick epidermis and leaves composed of a large number of stomata to favor the photosynthesis process due to the lack of rain.
• However, it has not yet been fully proven that the appearance of spines or modification of their leaves is one of the adaptations of xerophytic plants to avoid evapotranspiration.
• Xerophilic plants have also known how to adapt to excess light and lack of nutrients. In fact, despite growing under these conditions and even with extreme temperatures, they are usually very palatable to other animals thanks to their nutritional contribution.

Next, we offer you a list with some names of xerophytic plants that, quite possibly, you have at home, in your garden, in one of the green areas of your city. Maybe some of them will surprise you:

Xerophilous trees

• Acacia spp or acacia
• Cupressus sempervirens or cypress
• Lagerstroemia indica or Jupiter tree
• Brachychiton populneum or brachyquite
• Quercus ilex or holm oak
• Punica granatum or granado
• Ficus carica or higuera
• European olea or olive tree
• Juniperus thurifera or sabina albar

Palmeras

• Chamaerops humilis or palm heart
• Phoenix dactilifera or date palm

Learn more about the different types of palm trees with this other post.

Xerophilous shrubs

• Arbutus unedo o madroño
• Lavandula o lavanda
• Oh common myrtle Mirto
• Nerium oleander o adelfa
• Rosmarinus officinalis the rosemary
• Thymus vulgaris O tomillo
• Manihot esculenta o yuka o yuca

Succulents or succulents

• Agave lechuguilla o agave
• Aloe succotrina or aloe
• Opuntia sp. in opuntia

Here you can learn more types of succulent or succulent plants .

If you want to read more articles similar to Xerophytic plants: what they are, characteristics and examples , we recommend that you enter our Biology category .