14. Answer in detail III

 

a. The xerophytes have poorly developedwell developed roots.

 

b. The roots are not rootedgrow very deep into the earth and reach layers where water is available. Xerophytes have root hairs developed poorlydensely, which enables the root to absorb a sufficient quantity of water.

 

c. In Opuntia, there is  succulentdry stems and leaves which contains sclerenchymatousparenchymatous tissues. These tissues helps to store excessless quantity of water.

 

d. This makes the stem shrunken and thinswollen and fleshy. In many xerophytes, the leaves are broad, large-sizedreduced, small-sized with thinthick cuticle and dense, waxy coating.

 

e. Some xerophytes are short-lived. During the critical dry periods, it survives in the form of seeds and fruits with hard, resistant seed coatssoft, flexible seed coats.