Asked by b

When growing in windy environments, this organism will grow low along the ground, but when growing in sheltered environments, it grows tall. The leaves have a waxy coating to reduce moisture loss, a chemical makeup that makes them fairly fire resistant, and produce a scent that deters predators. It also has a large root system and root crowns. What organism and environment is described above?
a.
coyote brush and chaparral
b.
cacti and desert
c.
mesquite and savanna
d.
coyote brush and taiga

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
a. coyote brush and chaparral

Reason: Coyote brush (Baccharis spp.) is a chaparral/coastal scrub shrub that grows prostrate in windy exposed sites and upright in sheltered ones. Its leaves are waxy to reduce water loss, contain aromatic/waxy compounds that deter herbivores, and the plants have large root systems and root crowns that allow resprouting after fire — classic chaparral adaptations.