Droughtdeciduous

Droughtdeciduous refers to plants, typically trees and shrubs, that shed their leaves in response to prolonged dry periods rather than at the end of the growing season. This adaptation is a survival mechanism to conserve water when it is scarce. Unlike plants that are deciduous due to seasonal changes like autumn, drought-deciduous plants can lose their foliage at any time of the year if water stress becomes severe enough.

This characteristic is common in arid and semi-arid regions where rainfall is unreliable. By shedding leaves, the plant reduces the surface area exposed to the sun and wind, thereby minimizing transpiration, the process of water loss through evaporation from the leaves. This allows the plant to survive periods of drought until water becomes available again, at which point they can regrow their leaves.

Examples of drought-deciduous plants include certain species of oak, acacia, and palo verde. The timing and extent of leaf drop can vary depending on the specific species and the severity of the drought. Some plants may only shed a portion of their leaves, while others may become completely bare. This strategy is distinct from evergreen plants, which retain their leaves year-round, and from true deciduous plants that shed leaves based on photoperiod and temperature cues, typically in autumn.