Which one of the following is a xerophytic plant in which the stem is modified into the flat green and…

Which one of the following is a xerophytic plant in which the stem is modified into the flat green and succulent structure?
  1. Opuntia
  2. Casuarina
  3. Hydrilla
  4. Acacia

Solution

Opuntia is a plant growing in dry and xeric habitats. In this, the stem having several nodes and internodes is modified into flat, fleshy, thick, green leaf-like structure called phylloclade. Phylloclade performs the function of photosynthesis like a leaf and also stores food. The leaves get modified into spines which helps to reduce transpiration.

Asked in: NEET 2010 (Mains)

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