xerophytic plants can have less overall surface area than other plants, so reducing the area that is exposed to the air and reducing water loss by transpiration and evaporation. they can also have smaller leaves or fewer branches than other plants. an example of leaf surface reduction are the spines of a cactus, while the effects of compaction and reduction of branching can be seen in the barrel cacti. other xerophytes may have their leaves compacted at the base, as in a basal rosette, which may be smaller than the plant's flower. this adaptation is exhibited by some "agave" and "eriogonum" species, which can be found growing near death valley.