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The Thriving Desert Plant

By Therese | February 12, 2009

Ever wonder how a desert plant survives in such a harsh environment?  It would almost seem impossible to live in such extremes of cold and heat, with a lack of water, and soil full of salt.  But to live, the flora in these wastelands have developed a number of physical characteristics as well as behavioral practices that are simply amazing.

Consider the Saguaro cactus.  Cacti are desert plants that have found ways to survive.  One adaptation is to replace leaves with thin needles to minimize moisture loss.  Also, they generally have very thick trunks or stems that often appear to be bloated.  This allows them to store moisture far from the surface, again protecting it from 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.  You’d find shade under that hot sun too.  It can reach 15 feet high, but the growth is very slow, maybe an inch each year.  These things ensure that the Saguaro will become strong.

There are common adaptations shared by many desert plants.  Xerophytes, such as the cacti and specifically the Saguaro Cactus, have the needles instead of leaves and share other methods of gathering and storing water.  Phreatophytes are another type of plant that has adapted.  Their roots are deep enough to reach all the way down to the water table.  Two other general adaptations are important.

Many desert plants are perennials, that is plants that live for a number of years.  When it’s hot and dry these plants are dormant.  When it rains they awaken.  This is how they survive.

Another category of desert plants are the annuals, which live for only a season.  Unlike the perennials whose strategy is to stick around for a long time, the annuals only bloom when conditions are right.  They only live when conditions are more reasonable, then they die.

You can bet that whenever you visit the desert you will see some amazing desert plants.

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