News Plants Salty sweat helps one desert plant stay hydrated A study provides a new look into the strategies plants have evolved to survive in harsh locales The leaves of this Athel tamarisk secrete salts that soak up condensation. Marieh Al-Handawi Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterPinterestPocketRedditPrint By Ariana Remmel October 30, 2023 at 4:39 pm Sweat keeps some animals cool in scorching heat. Salty secretions also serve one desert shrub a refreshing sip of water. The Athel tamarisk uses a special selection of salts excreted from its leaves to pull water from the air, researchers report October 30 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This study provides new insights into the clever chemical strategies that plants have evolved to survive in harsh environments.
