How Does Dermal Tissue Help Plants on a Hot Day?

If you know anything about gardening, you know that where you place a plant is extremely important. Some plants can tolerate full sun and hot weather, while others will only survive in shady, cool spots. The way in which a plant tolerates its surroundings depends in large part on the dermal tissue, or epidermis of the plant. This complex outer layer has evolved to help the plant regulate the loss of carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen, so the plant can survive against the elements. When temperatures rise and the sun beats down, the dermal tissue ensures plants can retain essential nutrients while still allowing them to flow in.

Keep reading to learn more about a plant’s dermal tissue and to answer the question: How does dermal tissue help plants on a hot day?

The Reason for That Waxy Appearance

Have you ever noticed that many plants, especially those that thrive in warmer climates have a waxy appearance to their leaves? For example, desert plants like cacti have a very thick and waxy appearance, whereas the leaves of an oak tree are thinner and more matte. What you’re seeing is the dermal tissue, and more specifically the cuticle of the plant. This cuticle layer is formed from cutin and other waxy materials and can be the reason that some leaves have a blue or white hue instead of the traditional green.

Protection Against Water Loss

You likely already know that plants need three basic things to survive; light, water and carbon dioxide. The dermal layer needs to be able to protect the plant from harsh conditions while also allowing these essential nutrients to be absorbed.

This where the stoma comes into play. The stoma is an opening between cells which parts when water is present, allowing the plant the H2O it needs to survive. However, in dry, hot conditions the stoma stays closed, retaining needed moisture.

Are Hairy Plants Real?

Yes, hairy plants are the real thing! For the most part, you probably have not noticed a lot of hair on your backyard foliage, with the exception of perhaps lambs ear, a popular ornamental shade plant. However, most plants have tiny hairs that you don’t see, and they play an important part in answering the question: How does dermal tissue help plants on a hot day?

In fact there are 3 kinds of hairs at work to protect the nutrients inside a plant – glandular hair, root hair, and epidermal hair.

Glandular Hair: These hairs work to protect the plant from predatory insects and are slightly curved with a small bulb up top. These bulbs contain natural insect repellent, designed to keep harmful bugs at bay.

Root Hair: The basic function of the tiny root hairs on dermal tissue is to increase the surface area of the plant on a cellular level, allowing it to collect more moisture.

Epidermal Hair: Epidermal hairs act as a shield against wind, standing straight up and reducing the damaging, drying effects of wind and strong breezes.

So, are you still wondering, how does dermal tissue help plants on a hot day? Leave further questions or insights for us in the comments section below.

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Photo by Larry Farr on Unsplash