The Hardy Desert Plant
Do you want to know how desert plants thrive in the desert? It’s very hot in the daytime, very cold at night, hardly any water available, and even the soil is harsh. But plants have found a way to survive even in this harshest of the harsh environments.
Consider the Saguaro cactus. These desert plants, part of the cactus family, have adapted. 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 is another way to stop water evaporation. But the Saguaro has two additional features. 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. It can reach 15 feet high, but the growth is very slow, maybe an inch each year. Slow growth in the shade of a protector ensures the Saguaro will reach maturity, when it is more likely to withstand the vigors of desert living.
There are common adaptations shared by many desert plants. Saguaro are of a class called Xerophytes. That means they have needles not leaves. Phreatophytes are another type of plant that has adapted. They gather water with deep roots that 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. These make it in the harsh climate by remaining dormant during the hottest and driest part of the year. They spring into action when water is available. By continuing this cycle they maintain long, healthy lives.
Annuals, desert plants that live for only one season, are another general type. Unlike the perennials whose strategy is to stick around for a long time, the annuals only bloom when conditions are right. Their lives are short, then, during these arid periods when they germinate and spread their seeds for the next generation.
You can bet that whenever you visit the desert you will see some amazing desert plants.
No related posts.