Plant Adaptations

Some grasses grow in hot dry areas. Why might they grow deep roots?

• to protect the plant from sun damage
• to take in as much light as possible
• to spread seeds to new places
• to reach water down below

Why might some plants have thorns?

• to stay safe from animals that want to eat the plant
• to attract insects that spread pollen to other plants
• to take in nutrients from the air
• to provide shade for the plant

What is one reason why some plants have scents?

• to shed extra water off the plant
• to take in nutrients from the soil
• to attract animals to spread its pollen
• to conserve water during dry periods

What happens FIRST?

• The squirrel buries the acorn.
• An acorn falls from an oak tree.
• A squirrel finds the acorn on the ground.
• An oak tree begins to grow in a new place.

The rose of Jericho grows in dry areas. It curls up and laws DORMANT until there is enough water. What does DORMANT mean?

• flowering
• not active
• dead
• dried

Mistletoe is a PARASITIC plant that steals nutrients from other plants. What is a PARASITE?

• a living thing that lives on another living thing and takes from it
• a habitat that is hot and dry and receives very little rainfall a year
• a way to grow or change to adapt to an environment
• a part of the plant that takes in nutrients from the soil

Why might some plants that grow on the shady rain forest floor have large leaves?

• to stay safe from predators
• to attract different animals
• to survive harsh winters with heavy snowfall
• to take in as much sunlight as possible

Some trees shed their leaves in time for winter. Why is this adaptation useful?

• The trees save energy during the darker, colder months.
• The trees take in more sunlight through their branches.
• The trees attract animals to spread their seeds.
• The trees blend into their environment and hide.

What is one possible reason for seeds to have hooks of barbs?

• to stay warm during the winter
• to protect themselves from sunlight
• to get attached to passing animals and get carried away
• to stick to animals and steal nutrients from them