HOW DESERT PLANTS
ARE ADAPTED TO
REDUCE
TRANSPIRATION
STOMATA
Many desert plants have smaller and
fewer stomata than other plants. The
stomata of many cacti are deep in the
plants’ tissues. This helps reduce water loss
by keeping the hot, dry wind from the
desert from blowing directly across the
stomata.
THE CUTICLE
The leaves and stems of many desert
plants have a thick cuticle. This does not
cover the stomata, but it covers most of
the leaves, keeping the plants cooler and
reducing evaporative loss.
.
ARE ADAPTED TO
REDUCE
TRANSPIRATION
STOMATA
Many desert plants have smaller and
fewer stomata than other plants. The
stomata of many cacti are deep in the
plants’ tissues. This helps reduce water loss
by keeping the hot, dry wind from the
desert from blowing directly across the
stomata.
THE CUTICLE
The leaves and stems of many desert
plants have a thick cuticle. This does not
cover the stomata, but it covers most of
the leaves, keeping the plants cooler and
reducing evaporative loss.
.
