Mesophytic Plant Types & Characteristics | All about Mesophytes
Mesophytic plants include some of the most popular houseplants, flowering plants, and most crops! Let’s learn all about mesophytic plants and their types.
Plants have different growth habitats and, based on that, are classified as Hydrophytic, Xerophytic, and Mesophytic. Mesophytes lie somewhere in the middle as they grow well in average conditions requiring moist soil but not overly saturated soil. Hydrophytic plants need saturated soil or water to grow, whereas Xerophytic plants such as cacti do well in dry conditions. In this post, we discuss all Mesophytic plants and types of mesophytes.
About Mesophytic Plants
Mesophytic plants are not adapted to extreme conditions at both ends of the spectrum that is wet and dry environments. Moist soil that’s well-draining and does not turn soggy when watered is what Mesophytes prefer. Growing under moderate to hot and humid conditions, they constitute the largest ecological group of terrestrial plants. They won’t grow well in soil that’s rich in salts!
Characteristics of Mesophytes
Characteristic of Mesophytic plants are not specific can differ for different mesophytic plants. In general, the leaves are green, broad, and flat with stomata openings. Extensive fibrous root systems are common, with the ability to preserve and store food and water by developing organs such as rhizomes and bulbs. Stems can be aerial, branched, straight, thick, and hard with a well-organized shoot system. In underwatered conditions, stomata close to prevent loss of water due to transpiration. Again they aren’t drought tolerant like Xerophytic plants and will suffer in dry conditions.
Types of Mesophytic Plants
Mesophytic plant types include most of the herbs, houseplants, garden plants, and even some crops. Here is the list of some of the most popular mesophyte plants.
- Daisies
- Lilacs
- Tulips
- Lily of the Valley
- Pansies
- Roses
- Palm tree
- Oak Tree
- Junipers
- Goldenrod
- Clover
- Wheat
- Corn
- Blueberries
- Cucurbits
- Goldenrod
- Pothos
- Philodendron
