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Plant Adaptation

Let us understand what is adaptation? it is the modification of an organism or parts of an organism due to stresses or environmental changes. Now let's relate this to plants. So, when plants are subjected to certain stresses such as extreme temperatures, drought or limited resources it can modify some of it's parts to serve different functions. Plants undergo changes to better their chances in survival and reproduction such changes can be to the roots, stems, or leaves.

Root Adaptation

Although we covered that roots anchor the plant and help in absorption of nutrients from the soil, roots can undergo specific modifications that allows it to perform other functions as well. Let's see all the different modification! 

  1. Adventitious Roots: These roots grow in places where roots usually don't grow (non-root tissues) such as the branches. This occurs due to some environmental changes or stresses that the plant is subjected to. It can also develop to further support the plant by performing a required function that the plant is lacking. One example of the adventitious roots are the Bayan tree where adventitious roots support the thick heavy branches of the tree. Another example is the Ivy tree where the adventitious roots allows it to attach and climb on different surfaces. 
  2. Edible Roots: These roots are cool because not only can you see them but you can eat them. The roots stores high amounts of carbohydrates, starches and water. Examples of edible roots are carrots, beets and radishes. 
  3. Parasitic Roots: These roots are developed to feed on other plants, but how does that happen? they have a specific root structure known as haustoria which has a knob-like structure. The haustoria help in the penetration of the plant stems and can reach to the xylem and phloem. These roots are also referred to as sucker roots since they deplete the host from its nutrient supplies.  
  4. Contractile Roots: These roots pull the stem downward into the soil for better water absorption, protection and anchoring. The contractile roots are usually found at the base of an underground stem also referred to as bulbs. Some examples are lily bulbs and onions.

Stem Adaptation

Just like how the plants modify its roots, it can also modify its stems to perform specific functions. Stems support the plant while holding different parts of the plants such as the leaves, buds and flowers and help in the transportation of water and nutrient to all other plant parts. Stems can be herbaceous or woody and they can be highly branched or unbranched. 

  1. Rhizomes: These are underground stems that are usually near the surface of the soil. An example is ginger, although people might refer to it as 'ginger root' it is actually a stem modification. 
  2. Tubers: These stems are enlarged and found underground, they store high quantities of starch. Example of this type of modification is potatoes. 
  3. Corms: These are underground stems that are similar to bulbs but constitute  mainly of stem tissues. They store food and can grow adventitious roots. An example of this type of stem modification is taro. 
  4. Stolons and Runners: Stolons are underground stem that grow in different directions. An example of this modification is the strawberry plant. Similar to stolons but runners grow horizontally and above ground. Runners also have long internodes. 
  5. Parasitic: Similar to parasitic roots, parasitic stems thrive on feeding from the host's water and mineral content. 

Leaf Adaptation

Leaves of a plant can be modified not only to perform different functions but to stop some function. Leaves are a crucial part of the plant since it is the site of photosynthesis meaning that the plant is highly dependent on it.

  1. Spines: Modified leaves that protect from herbivores, the spines can be hard to swallow and serve as protection to the plant. An example of this adaptation is cactus.
  2. Tendrils: These modified leaves help in supporting the plant in which allows for the plant to attach and coil around different structures. Examples of this adaptation is lilies, peas and tomatoes.
  3. Bulbs: These are fleshy leaves that store carbohydrates and starch. A very known example is onions.
  4. Reproductive leaves: These leaves as its name suggests are able to develop new plants from its tips.
  5. Parasitic/Trap leaves: These are plants that feed on insects to acquire nitrogen by trapping insects. The funnel-like leaves contains digestive enzymes that break down the insect and absorb the nutrients which is mainly to aquire nitrogen.