Xerocoma

News: A recent study identified Xerocoma as a new plant adaptation in Northern Western Ghats that protects dormant buds during harsh seasonal cycles.

About Xerocoma

• Xerocoma is a plant adaptation strategy in which dry, cottony plant fibres form at the rootstock and envelop dormant buds to protect them during harsh seasonal conditions.
• Structure formation: Xerocoma forms as dry, cottony balls at the root-shoot junction and fully encloses developing buds.
• Fibre composition: It consists of tough lignocellulose plant fibres that create a protective covering around sensitive growth points.
• Growth coordination: This structure develops along with growing buds and later loosens when leaves begin to emerge.
• Stress protection: It protects buds from desiccation stress, harsh heat, drying winds, and surface fires during the dry season.
• Regrowth support: It ensures that buds remain safe and capable of regrowth when favourable conditions return after stress.
• Species exhibit this phenomenon
  • Xerocoma occurs in six plant species belonging to the Asteraceae and Acanthaceae families.
  • Observed species include Senetio edgeworthii, Neuracanthus sphaerostachyus, and a Dicliptera species.
• Significance: Xerocoma provides a model for studying how plants structurally adapt to environmental stress and survive harsh seasonal conditions.