Xerophytes thrive in

Xerophytes are plants specifically adapted to survive in environments with limited water availability, commonly referred to as xeric habitats [t1][t3]. These plants thrive in hot and arid conditions, such as tropical and subtropical deserts, where they face challenges like excessive heat, dry air, and prolonged droughts [c1][c2]. To survive these harsh conditions, xerophytes have evolved various morphological and physiological adaptations, including thick waxy cuticles to retard water loss, succulent tissues for water storage (as seen in cacti), and deep tap-root systems to access groundwater [c3][c4]. While some xerophytes exist in mid-latitude or cold deserts, the term is most fundamentally associated with aridity and the struggle against high evaporation rates [c2][c4]. Consequently, hot and arid conditions represent the primary environment where these drought-resistant species predominate [c1][t4].

Sources

1. [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 18: The Hot Desert and Mid-Latitude Desert Climate > Natural Vegetation > p. 175
2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Natural Vegetation In The Mediterranean Climate > p. 449
3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 10. Desert Biomes > p. 15
4. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Desert Vegetation > p. 443
5. [5] https://gacbe.ac.in/pdf/ematerial/18BBO25A-U5.pdf
6. [6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/xerophyte