• Waterloss in plantsflower office flower image by Pali A from Fotolia.com
  
  Desert plants and plants surviving in more extreme climates developed a series of adaptations to reduce water loss within the plant. Since photosynthesis uses high levels of water to produce food, the more a single plant is able to reduce its water loss, the healthier the plant will inevitably be.
  
  

Leaves

• One of the most common ways plants have adapted to reduce water loss is through their leaves. Plants that have fewer stomata, the pores in the epidermis of the leaf, lose less water. Many desert plants, such as bunchgrass, only open their stomata during particular times of day or seasons, such as at night when water loss is greatly reduced.
  
  Some plants may have less leaves or leaves with less surface area such as pine needles to reduce water and use their stems for necessary leaf processes such as photosynthesis. It is possible for a plant to have silver, grey or other neutral toned foliage, like purple sage, to reflect light, reduce heat and the amount of water loss. They may also produce a waxy layer which can protect against evaporation while reflecting light off the shiny surface.
  
  

Stems

• Plants have evolved over the years to survive through dry seasons such as winter. Many trees go into a hibernation dropping their leaves and sealing off their stomata to decrease water loss Their stems have evolved to sustain them through the harshest of climates. The stomata on their stem only open at night. Lastly, many plants, such as many cacti or fleabane, in drier climates drop their flowers and leaves immediately at onset of summer to reduce the amount of water needed to sustain the plant. When it rains they quickly replace the leaves and flowers lost.
  
  

Desert Plants

• Desert plants are well known to thrive in hot, dry climates where almost all others would perish. Like many fungi, they grow with deep roots a plant is able to both absorb water and remain photosynthesized during the summer. Some plants may retract their leaves or other stem parts during the day, when evaporation is most dangerous and then bloom during the night.
  
  Other plants, like bluebunch wheatgrass and bigseed biscuitroot, develop up to 80 percent of their exterior mass underground, leaving only slight leaves and flowers available above surface for photosynthesis and reproduction. They may also, such as in the case of cacti, store large amounts of water within their stems when rainfall eventually occurs. Their leaves have adapted to needles for protection and a high number can reduce water loss by provided shade to the stem.