Which type of leaf modification helps to store excess water?

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Prepare for the UCF BOT3015 Principles of Plant Science Test 2 with expertly crafted questions. Enhance your knowledge with detailed flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Optimize your exam preparedness today!

The type of leaf modification that helps to store excess water is indeed storage leaves. Plants often develop specialized leaves that optimize their ability to retain water, particularly in arid environments. These storage leaves are typically thicker and fleshy, allowing them to accumulate and hold moisture for longer periods, thus supporting the plant during dry conditions. This adaptation is crucial for survival as it enables the plant to maintain physiological processes even when external water sources are limited.

In contrast, insect-trapping leaves are adapted for nutrient acquisition, specifically targeting and digesting insects to supplement their nitrogen intake. Reproductive leaves fulfill the role of facilitating reproduction rather than storage, and tendrils serve primarily as a means for support, helping the plant climb and attach to structures rather than storing water. Each type of modification serves a specific purpose, but in the context of water storage, storage leaves are the clear adaptation.