Plants living in very dry regions are specially adapted to stop them from losing too much water. They have smaller leaves, which are often thin and spiny, or they may have no leaves photosynthesis takes place in the swollen barrel-like stems, which are often covered with protective spines.
Desert plants also conserve water by having a thick waxy coat over their leaves and stems, and by storing water after the rain. Some desert plants have fat, swollen leaves or stems that are filled with water. Desert plants also have extremely long roots that burrow deep into the soil.
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Fact File: Because plants need to store food and water over the winter, or in dry conditions, underground storage organs develop from roots, stems or leaf bases. We use many of these organs for food. |
Picture Credit : Google