Final answer:
Tall fescue's ability to withstand drought is due to its deep root system, ability to reduce transpiration through foliage and stomatal adaptations, and production of dormant seeds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability of tall fescue to withstand drought is generally attributed to several adaptations that allow it to survive in dry conditions. These include a well-developed root system that allows the plant to access deep soil moisture, the ability to reduce foliage to minimize transpiration, and the production of seeds that can remain dormant during unfavorable conditions. Additionally, physical adaptations such as fleshy leaves with sunken stomata contribute to reducing water loss and enhancing the plants' survival during periods of drought.
Many plants, including early land plants and certain types of cacti, have evolved various strategies to combat dryness. Strategies such as drought tolerance, where plants like mosses can recover rapidly after dehydration, and resistance to desiccation, where cacti minimize water loss, enable plants to survive in arid environments. The evolutionary move from dependence on aquatic environments to resisting desiccation is evident in plants like tall fescue that can withstand extreme dryness and conditions like fires.