Vegetation in the Desert
Succulence, drought tolerance and drought evasion are the three major characteristics of desert plants. Succulent plants can store large amounts water in their leaves, roots or stems. Typically, succulent plants will have a shallow root system, just a few inches under the soil. It's also common for succulent plants to be bitter, toxic or spiny to protect themselves from being eaten by hungry and thirsty desert animals. They are coated in a waxy layer, nearly waterproof, so as not to lose any moisture to the heat of the desert sun.
Drought tolerance refers to a plants ability to survive the dryness of the desert. Drought tolerant plants often appear as though they are dead or dying but are in fact dormant. They can survive months or years without any rain. Their roots generally spread out extensively around the center of the plant and the roots also reach a depth greater than that of the succulents, where the soil will remain moist longer than the upper layers.
Drought evading plants are perennials that can restrict their growth to times when only moisture is available for them to thrive. Generally, these types of plants are going to be shrubs than can be dormant during the dry periods in the desert. Some may be flowering plants that appear every twenty years and others will come back annually as long as there is moisture to provide them with the appropriate nutrients to grow.
Drought tolerance refers to a plants ability to survive the dryness of the desert. Drought tolerant plants often appear as though they are dead or dying but are in fact dormant. They can survive months or years without any rain. Their roots generally spread out extensively around the center of the plant and the roots also reach a depth greater than that of the succulents, where the soil will remain moist longer than the upper layers.
Drought evading plants are perennials that can restrict their growth to times when only moisture is available for them to thrive. Generally, these types of plants are going to be shrubs than can be dormant during the dry periods in the desert. Some may be flowering plants that appear every twenty years and others will come back annually as long as there is moisture to provide them with the appropriate nutrients to grow.
Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)
Barrel Cactus
The barrel cactus may also be referred to as the Compass Cactus. It is easy to identify because of its cylindrical body. It can range in heights from five to eleven feet tall. The ridges that run down the side of the cactus have three to four inch sharp spines. At the top of the barrel cactus will be yellow-green or red blossoms since it is a flowering plant.
The Mojave, Sonora and Chihuahua deserts are where this cacti can be found. Native Americans once drank water from the pulp of the cactus and a food similar to that of a cabbage. The spines had been used as fish hooks, also.
The Mojave, Sonora and Chihuahua deserts are where this cacti can be found. Native Americans once drank water from the pulp of the cactus and a food similar to that of a cabbage. The spines had been used as fish hooks, also.
Chain Fruit Cholla (Opuntia fulgida)
Chain Fruit Cholla
The chain fruit cholla looks like a desert tree. It is commonly found in the Sonoran and Chihuahua Desert at elevations up to 4,000 feet above sea level. Unlike a normal cactus, the chain fruit cholla has many dropping branches covered in sharp spines that start as a tannish-yellow and mature to a gray color. These spines fall off as the cholla ages.
Between June and August a lavender flower blooms at the end of the branch. Each year new flowers bloom and the chain grows longer. The chain fruit cholla is also referred to as the jumping cholla because the slightest brush of the cholla can cause the segments to break off and adhere to you, making it appear as if the cactus has jumped onto you.
Some desert animals, during droughts, will feast on the fruit dropped by the cactus to provide themselves with food and water. Large forests of these cactus can be found in Arizona.
Between June and August a lavender flower blooms at the end of the branch. Each year new flowers bloom and the chain grows longer. The chain fruit cholla is also referred to as the jumping cholla because the slightest brush of the cholla can cause the segments to break off and adhere to you, making it appear as if the cactus has jumped onto you.
Some desert animals, during droughts, will feast on the fruit dropped by the cactus to provide themselves with food and water. Large forests of these cactus can be found in Arizona.
Crimson Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus)
Crimson Hedgehog Cactus
This is a small and barrel shaped cactus that can grow in groups of only a few to a hundred stems, which are the cylindrical shape. Each stem has nine or ten ribs which are shorter and packed tighter than other hedgehog cacti. The ribs each have groups of two or three spines, each as long as two or three inches. The crimson flowers that grow on the cactus form a cup shape, are edible, and bloom from April through June.
The flowers of the crimson hedgehog cacti remain open through the day and night, which is unusual since most flowers remain open only during the day. The cool night temperature are helpful to this cacti in exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
The flowers of the crimson hedgehog cacti remain open through the day and night, which is unusual since most flowers remain open only during the day. The cool night temperature are helpful to this cacti in exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata)
Soaptree Yucca
The Soaptree Yucca is most often found in the Sonora and Chihuahua deserts but also in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. This yucca can grow to be 10-18 feet tall and has leaves similar to that of a palm tree; long and triangular shaped, but not wide.
Inside of the yucca, the plant contains a soapy substance. During droughts, ranchers once used the plans as a food source for their cattle, but the soapy substance had also once been used as a soap substitute. The yucca is a very adaptable plant and can be found almost anywhere.
Inside of the yucca, the plant contains a soapy substance. During droughts, ranchers once used the plans as a food source for their cattle, but the soapy substance had also once been used as a soap substitute. The yucca is a very adaptable plant and can be found almost anywhere.