Self-moist plant

Self-moist plants or homohydric plants is a term from the consideration of different plants under the aspect of the abiotic environmental factor moisture. Homoiohydric plants are plants that can maintain a relatively uniformly high water balance in the organism that is largely independent of the surrounding atmosphere. However, they need, among other things, an effective sealing fabric , a functional water pipe system and water storage fabric as well as the possibility of regulating the gas exchange. Homohydric plants therefore consistently belong to the scion plants .

They are the counterpart to the alternately moist plants .

features

Self-moist plants are mostly vascular plants and their structure is more dependent on the occurrence of water at their location than alternating moisture , because the absorption or release of water itself, either through their structure or through plant (species) -specific mechanisms (e.g. targeted opening of stomata ). Depending on their location, all of these plants have more or less pronounced roots , devices for storing water or for its release and an insulating wax layer to the outside ( cuticle ). The size of the leaves also varies depending on the location, as well as the number and size of the stomata on them. Large leaves without a cuticle and poorly developed roots are typical for a damp location, while in extremely dry regions cacti with thick leaves with woody outer walls and deep roots are more characteristic.

Classification of naturally moist plants

It is difficult to describe a general, external characteristic of the self-moist plants, as they have a very different adaptation and therefore a very different structure depending on their location.

One differentiates:

• Hydrophytes
• Hygrophytes
• Mesophytes
• Xerophytes
• Succulents