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HomeTopics...Plant InformationDesert Plants
Desert Plants: Surviving the ElementsAlthough deserts are generally considered totally barren lands, they do provide a home to numerous plants. Native desert plants have adapted to extreme heat and lack of water. Desert plants survive by holding in their water for a long period of time.
While the most common type of desert plant is the cactus, many other obscure plant varieties reside in the desert.
Desert Plants for the Garden Extreme weather is often the most common difficulty facing the desert gardener. In some parts of the country, desert temperatures can soar well over 100 degrees, while rainfall may total less than a few inches the entire year.While the climate can be tough on plants, the desert offers some unique advantages over other growing climates. The growing season is long, typically followed by a short winter season. The generous length of the growing season allows plants to fully mature. To ensure that the desert plants in your garden grow to the fullest, be sure to place these plants in an area with plenty of sunlight. Greenhouses and windowsills are good indoor spaces to grow these plants. When choosing plants, choose hearty varieties that do well in sunlight and high temperatures. One thing to keep in mind: desert plants can also thrive in cooler and moister climates then the desert.
Cactus PlantsCactus plants, one of the most common desert plants, are succulent plants, meaning that they store water, and can survive in dry climates for long periods of time. Aside from efficiently collecting and storing water, cacti can also store starches effectively. This adaptation lets cacti bloom almost immediately in the spring without having to accumulate more outside nutrients.
Another advantage of the cactus is the notorious spines that cover the plant's body. While the spines protect the cactus from water-seeking predators, they also help the plant absorb water. Spines draw water droplets, usually in the form of dew, towards the areole, the point at which the spine grows out of the plant. Two of the most common types of cactus that are found in the United States are the saguaro and barrel cactus. The saguaro cactus, the state flower of Arizona, is composed of a thick column-like stem that has several branches jutting upward from it. Blooming in May and June, it produces 3-inch-wide flowers that are creamy white. The barrel cactus is a wide, barrel-shaped plant that is generally among the largest cacti in North American deserts. These cacti have curved, fishhook-like spines and produce fruit eaten by Native Americans.
Other Types of Dessert PlantsAlong with cacti, desert wildflowers often season an otherwise barren desert landscape. Although desert wildflowers vary from region to region, the following are some of the more common desert wildflowers:
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