Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

What are plants called that use less water and are tolerant of dry landscape sites?

1. Xerophytes

2. Epiphytes

3. Dryophytes

4. Monoecious

The correct answer is: Xerophytes

Plants that use less water and are tolerant of dry landscape sites are referred to as xerophytes. This term specifically describes a group of plants that have adapted to survive in environments with limited water availability, such as deserts or arid conditions. Xerophytes exhibit specialized adaptations to conserve moisture, such as thick, waxy leaves, deep root systems, and the ability to store water in their tissues. Understanding the characteristics of xerophytes is important in landscaping and gardening, especially in regions facing water scarcity, as they can help create sustainable and drought-resistant gardens. Other terms, such as epiphytes, describe plants that grow on other plants but do not derive nutrients from them, and dryophytes is not a commonly recognized term in plant classification. Monoecious refers to plants that have both male and female reproductive structures, which is unrelated to water usage or drought tolerance.