Page 90 - Science Class 06

For example, lotus, traps, water hyacinth, etc. Due to availability to plenty of water, the
Lotus
Submerged Water Plants
These plants are anchored by roots to the
bo om of the pond, but their leaves and
flowers grow and float on the water
surface. Plants such as waterlilies, lotus,
watershield and spa erdock are floa ng-
leaved plants.
Hydrilla
Hyacinths have air sacs in their stems that
keep them floa ng on the surface of
water.
Adap ve Features of Hydrophytes
As you know aqua c plants live in water so
they have developed adap ve features to
stay in water and adapta on for buoyancy
in water and against decaying.
For example, a water lily or lotus neither
drown in water nor gets wrinkled.
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roots in water plants are less significant. So,
either these plants have no roots or have
very poorly developed roots.
The stems are long, slender, spongy and
flexible that help them floa ng on water
surface.
Aqua c plants have water proof leaves.
They have protec ve oily or waxy coat on
their upper surface. So, they do not shrink,
wrinkle or destroy.
1. What are hydrophytes?
2. Name any two free floa ng water plants.
3. Are the roots of lotus fixed in mud?
4. Why do water plants have waxy coat on
their leaves?
Mesophytes
Mesophytes are terrestrial plants requiring
a moderate or average amount of moisture,
including trees. Mesophytes make up the
largest ecological group of terrestrial plants
and usually grow under moderate to hot
and humid clima c regions.
Mango Tree Sunflower
Mesophytes generally require a more or less
con nuous water supply. They usually have
larger, thinner leaves compared to xero-
phytes, some mes with a greater number
of stomata on the undersides of leaves.
Science-6