Question

Differentiate between xerophytes and hydrophytes.

Answer 1

Plants have evolved adaptations to help them survive (and develop) in various environments. Adaptations are characteristics that enable a plant or animal to thrive in a certain environment or habitat. These adaptations may make it harder for the plant to adjust to a new environment. This explains why some plants grow in one place but not in another. A cactus, for example, would not be found in the Arctic.

Complete explanation

Xerophytes	Hydrophytes
These are the plants that grow on land which are dry and have a scarcity of water.	These are the plants that grow in water and need maximum water for their growth.
To reduce the water loss, the leaves of these plants are reduced to spines.	To protect themselves from the water, the leaves have a waxy coating on them
The roots of these plants are very long and reach deep in the soil.	Because the water is available in a high amount, the roots are reduced.
For example, cactus and babul	For example, Hydrilla and Lotus

Additional information:
Some floating plants can be found in bodies of water. They feature floating leaves with only a thin layer of chlorophyll on the upper surface, which is green in color. The reddish color of the foliage lies beneath. Plants can travel with the river because of their underwater leaves and stems. There are no roots or root hair because there is no need to absorb water. To extract oxygen from the water, underwater plants have leaves with big air pockets. Some plants also produce floating seeds.

Note:
Because the desert is a dry, water-scarce environment, plants there have short leaves and numerous spines to help them conserve water. The thick waxy coats of the leaves help to retain water for a long time. Plants with no leaves store water in their green stems. Roots grow close to the soil's surface, soaking up water before it evaporates. The plants' growth is modest because they don't have to produce much food.