Page 41 - Photosynthesis: The Green Miracle

Harun Yahya

particularly under conditions of intense wind. Other leaves have pores on
both surfaces, which absorb moisture from the air, especially during fog-
gy conditions.
In some plants, especially Manzanita, the leaves are supported in
such a way as to remain perpendicular. The surface areas are thus less ex-
posed to the Sun, and water loss is reduced. Paloverde, which has only ves-

tigial leaves that appear briefly in spring, performs its photosynthesis in
the smooth, bright-green branches and twigs. That is because the posses-
sion of too many leaves in a desert environment means more water evap-
orating.
As you have seen, plants that resist the desert climate possess a num-
ber of different precautionary measures against the heat. It is clear that
plants cannot take these precautionary measures separately from one an-
other, since plants lack the necessary consciousness, reason and informa-
tion. It is Allah Who creates every plant with the most appropriate and

matchless features for the environment in which it exists.

How Desert Plants Remain Dormant

So far we have reviewed examples of plants whose special structures
let them withstand drought and aridity. However, we briefly mentioned
another method of withstanding the desert environment: remaining dor-
mant. Species that implement this method are known as ephemeral
plants. They generally live as adults for less than a year, surviving the lack

of water by remaining dormant in seed form and then sprouting very
quickly in the wake of a rain. Their sprouts grow very rapidly. Flowering
takes place in a very brief time thereafter, and thus the plant’s entire life
cycle can progress from the seed to the seed-production stage in a matter
of just a few weeks.
Rainfall in the desert is irregular, and undependable. If the seeds of
ephemeral plants were all to sprout after a single rainfall and then wither

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