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xerophyte (ZEER-uh-fait) - n., a plant adapted to surviving where there is very little liquid water.
Which includes not just deserts but alpine environments. Cacti are the classic example, of course, but fun fact: as you head due west of here, the annual rainfall goes down and as it does, the number of plants does too -- and the last plant to survive is not any cactus but rather creosote bush. Coined in 1897 from Ancient Greek roots xērós, dry + phytón, plant.
---L.
Which includes not just deserts but alpine environments. Cacti are the classic example, of course, but fun fact: as you head due west of here, the annual rainfall goes down and as it does, the number of plants does too -- and the last plant to survive is not any cactus but rather creosote bush. Coined in 1897 from Ancient Greek roots xērós, dry + phytón, plant.
---L.
