Question

Which of the following is not a character of xerophytes?

• A. Thick cuticle
• B. Well developed mechanical tissue
• C. Well developed conducting tissues
• D. Spongy parenchyma

Answer 1

The correct option is D Spongy parenchyma

Xerophytes are the plants that survive in an environment having little supply of water or moisture. To survive with limited water supply they have anatomical modifications such as-

1) The epidermis is covered with thick cuticle to prevent water loss by transpiration.

2) Waxy coating is present on leaves and stem to prevent transpiration losses and stomata are generally confined on the lower surface of the epidermis of leaves.

3) Mechanical and vascular tissues are well developed.

4) The xerophytes have abundant palisade parenchyma and limited spongy parenchyma.

So, the correct answer is 'Spongy parenchyma'.