A potometer is a piece of apparatus designed to measure water uptake in a leafy shoot.

Why do we use a potometer?

A potometer' (from Greek ποτό = drunken, and μέτρο = measure), sometimes known as transpirometer, is a device used for measuring the rate of water uptake of a leafy shoot which is almost equal to the water lost through transpiration. The causes of water uptake are photosynthesis and transpiration.

What does a potometer show?

Potometer. A potometer can be used to measure the rate of transpiration that's proportional to water uptake. Transpiration cannot be measured directly as some of the water will be used in photosynthesis.