You Are Studying a Plant from the Arid Southwestern United

You are studying a plant from the arid southwestern United States. Which of the following adaptations is least likely to have evolved in response to water shortages?

A) closing the stomata during the hottest time of the day
B) development of large leaf surfaces to absorb water
C) formation of a fibrous root system spread over a large area
D) mycorrhizae associated with the root system
E) a thick waxy cuticle on the epidermis