What are phreatophytes plants?

What are phreatophytes plants?

Phreatophytes are the deep-rooted plants to obtain water from deep inside the ground. Extension of roots is an adaptation through which the desert plants are able to obtain water even in the dry climatic conditions. Mesquite, Saltmarsh and Greasewood are examples of Phreatic plants.

Where are Phreatophytes found?

Phreatophytes live in areas with standing or running water, in arid areas and along the riverbeds and areas, apparently dry, where the water table is very shallow and near the surface. These plants have very deep roots that are able to reach the water table.

What does Phreatophyte mean?

Definition of phreatophyte : a deep-rooted plant that obtains its water from the water table or the layer of soil just above it.

How do plants survive in arid climate?

To survive, desert plants have adapted to the extremes of heat and aridity by using both physical and behavioral mechanisms, much like desert animals. Phreatophytes are plants that have adapted to arid environments by growing extremely long roots, allowing them to acquire moisture at or near the water table.

What leaf structures help conserve water?

A waxy layer known as the cuticle covers the leaves of all plant species. The cuticle reduces the rate of water loss from the leaf surface. Other leaves may have small hairs (trichomes) on the leaf surface.

What type of plant is best adapted to an arid climate?

Xerophytes, such as cacti, usually have special means of storing and conserving water. They often have few or no leaves, which reduces transpiration. Phreatophytes are plants that have adapted to arid environments by growing extremely long roots, allowing them to acquire moisture at or near the water table.

What is the name given to responses to stimuli that involve directional growth?

Plants respond to many directional cues from the environment with directional growth responses called tropisms. The growth response can be towards (positive) or away from (negative) the stimulus as seen in the positive gravitropism of the root and negative gravitropism of the stem.

Where do Phreatophytes grow in the US?

Some phreatophytes are widespread throughout the entire West, and others, such as saltcedar, are confined to the river valleys of the Southwest. In all, they waste tremendous quantities of ground water each year.

Are Phreatophytes consumptive waste?

Most phreatophytes have low economic value, and consequently, the water they use and return to the atmosphere without substantial benefit to man is defined as consumptive waste. Some phreatophytes are widespread throughout the entire West, and others, such as saltcedar, are confined to the river valleys of the Southwest.

What is the difference between facultative and obligate Phreatophytes?

Obligate phreatophytes send roots into or below the capillary fringe to use shallow groundwater, while facultative phreatophytes can also survive in upland environments where groundwater is not available.

Is water willow a macrophyte?

Macrophytes such as water willow are generally limited to shallow, sluggish, or slow-flowing margins of streams. Other native plants in oxbows, ponds, and reservoirs include spatterdock, water shield, duckweed, arrowhead, eelgrass, water primrose, Illinois pondweed, spikerush, and water stargrass.