JAMB - Biology (2025 - No. 92)

Desert plants are called xerophytes because they are specialized to survive in arid environments with extremely limited water availability. They possess unique adaptations to conserve and store water, such as thick waxy cuticles to reduce evaporation, succulent stems or leaves for storing large quantities of water (e.g., cacti), sunken stomata or fewer stomata to minimize water loss during transpiration, and deep or extensive root systems to reach underground water sources.