Turgescence. When a plant is deprived of water, its leaves droop and we say it wilts. This is due to the fact that, normally, each cell is expanded by the water within it and so is kept in position.
If the water be withdrawn, these cells will collapse like an empty balloon, allowing the leaves and plant to droop. If water be supplied before the protoplasm dies, however, the leaves and plant will resume position.
This stiffness of plants, due to presence of water, is called turgescence and is very important in supporting the smaller plants whose stems are not stiffened with wood fibers. Nearly all leaves depend on this water pressure for their expansion.
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