Question

Plants adapted to grow in shades are
A. Psammophytes
B. Sciophytes
C. Mesophytes
D. Xerophytes

Answer 1

There are some plants that tend to grow in bright light and require a huge amount of sunlight to grow properly, while there are some other plants that are adapted in a way that they require low amounts of light or partial shade to grow.

Complete solution:-
The plants that are adapted to grow in shades usually have large photosynthetic units, thus they require only a small amount of sunlight. They achieve saturation in their process of photosynthesis with only 20% of sunlight as compared to the other plants that grow in high sunlight (sun plants). These plants flourish best at lower intensity of sunlight and if subjected to high intensities of light, can die. Such plants are known as ‘shade plants’ or ‘Sciophytes’.

**So, the correct option is (B) Sciophytes.

Additional Information: **

Sciophytes follow some strategies to conserve sunlight energy available to them and to optimize its use. Their stems are soft and thin, having large internodes. Leaves are also thin and large, having more chlorophyll. Epidermal cells are lens-shaped that help in focusing light to the mesophyll cells. They have thin cuticles and the palisade parenchyma is not developed properly. Development of flowers and fruits is very less as they undergo vegetative growth more. Example of Sciophyte is Java Moss.

Note:
- Psammophytes are plants that are adapted to grow in sandy areas where the speed of wind is high. Their roots are mostly exposed.
- Mesophytes are plants that require moderate amounts of water to grow (no adaptation for either dry or wet environments).
- Xerophytes are plants that are adapted to grow in dry environments such as deserts or regions covered with snow.