Page 92 - Science Class 06
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v These plants have fleshy stems with Adap ve Features of Halophytes
water storage ssues as water is scarce Halophytes have branched roots which
in deserts. come out only from the soil surface to allow
v The leaves are covered with a large air to enter the soil.
number of sharp spines. These prevent They have green, small and leathery leaves
the water evapora on and protect the which also have water storage ssues.
plant from grazing animals.
v The surface of the leaves is shining and
Collect one plant from each xerophyte,
glazed to reflect light and heat.
hydrophyte, mesophyte and halophyte.
Now, write about their different parts and
how these parts help them to survive in
1. Name any three mesophytes.
different habitats.
2. Why do the mesophytes have well-
developed roots?
3. Why the leaves of mesophytes are broad,
large and thin? 1. What do you mean by halophytes?
4. Why xerophytes have highly reduced 2. Why do the roots of halophytes come
leaves? out of the soil?
Halophytes ADAPTATION IN ANIMALS
A halophyte is a type of plant that is able to Like plants, animals also live in different
survive in and around land or water high in
types of habitats. They have also developed
salt content. These plants may spend their
some adap ve features in them.
en re life cycle in high saline environments.
On the basis of different habitats, we can
Most commonly, halophytes are found
growing along ocean shorelines, but can group them into:
also grow in swamps, marshlands and v Aqua c Animals
desert condi ons. Some halophytes are v Amphibians
known as faculta ve, which means they are
able to survive with or without saline. Other v Animals in Desert
halophytes, known as obligate halophytes, v Animals in the Mountain Region
are only able to survive in habitats with high v Animals in Aerial Habitat
salt concentra ons. Researchers have
Aqua c Animals
es mated that only around 2% of plant
species are considered halophytes. The animals living in water are called
aqua c animals or hydrocoles. They have
An example of a halophyte is the salt marsh
developed adap ve features to live in water.
grass Spar na Alternaiflora (smooth cordgrass).
They cannot survive on land.
92 Science-6
