Desert Plants

Ever wonder how desert plants survive in such a harsh environment? It’s very hot in the daytime, very cold at night, hardly any water available, and even the soil is harsh. Life finds a way, however, even in such an unforgiving place as a desert.

Take the Saguaro Cactus for example. Cacti are desert plants that have found ways to survive. Instead of the wide leaves their wet area brethren sport, cactus have thin needles to minimize water evaporation. In addition, their trunks are thick and bloated. It’s another method to slow down the evaporation. Two other things help us Saguero survive. First, it begins life in the shade of a “nurse” tree or shrub, to protect it from the sun. It’s just like people who look for shade on a sunny day. Its growth is painfully slow, no more than an inch every year. Reaching maturity under these conditions is an important part of survival.

Some desert plants do similar things to live. Plants like the Saguero are called Xerophytes, they store water in particular with their needles instead of leaves. another general type of plants are the Phreatophytes. Their roots are deep enough to reach all the way down to the water table. We have to mention two other things.

Some desert plants, called perennials, live for many years. Perennials remain dormant in the harshest part of the season. When it rains they awaken. This is how they survive.

Another category of desert plants are the annuals, which live for only a season. Whereas perennials take the long-term approach, annuals go for quick success. They live during the wet times and spread their seeds to grow the next generation.

Desert plants are pretty amazing.