There is a wide variety of native desert plants
To a lot of people, a desert is a hot, arid place devoid of living things. But this is far from the truth. Most deserts contain a multitude of native plants that thrive in the harsh conditions, and historically have been used by native peoples for food, weaving material, tools such as arrow shafts and shelter. Many desert plants grow very slowly and can survive for hundreds or even thousands of years. Does this Spark an idea?
Cactus
One of the most prevalent native plants in a desert is the cactus. Cacti are characterized by their ability to store water within their tissues and many of them have protective sharp spines that can be very small and fine or thick, long and hard. Cactus species include the barrel cactus, so named because it is shaped like a cylindrical barrel. It can grow over 10 feet tall with horizontal rows of spines several inches long. The chain fruit cholla cactus has a main trunk with a lot of side branches that are all covered with spines. It produces clusters of fruit that look like pears. The cholla can grow up to about 15 feet high. The ocotillo, also called the vine cactus, grows in very hot and rocky deserts and can reach up to 30 feet in height. It has multiple branches that grow upward and have oval-shaped leaves that die off and the leaf stalk turns into spines. The saguaro cactus is one of the largest cacti and will grow for hundreds of years and can reach as tall as 60 feet under ideal conditions. The central trunk is straight and has numerous 'arms' that branch off. The entire plant has spines about 2 inches long.
Shrubs
There are a number of native desert shrubs ranging from scrubby plants to shrubs over 5 feet tall. Examples are the brittle bush which is deciduous and can reach 5 feet in height. It has a wooden trunk with branches that are, as the name implies, brittle. The branches contain serrated leaves several inches long. The creosote bush gives off a tar-like scent and has green leaves about 2 inches in length. These shrubs grow in groups that come from one original plant and can live for thousands of years. The yellow palo verde is a shrub that has bark that is slick and green and is covered in thorns. When the shrub drops its leaves as the weather turns too hot, the bark's chlorophyll will continue the photosynthesis process that the leaves did.
Trees
Most native desert trees do not look like most trees with lush green leaves. However, the desert ironwood tree, or nurse plant, has a large canopy that shades the ground which allows its seeds to germinate in a cooler environment. It grows in washes or near water sources and can grow up to 30 feet tall with grayish leaves. They can grow for hundreds of years and have the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil with their roots. The Joshua tree, however, does not look like a normal tree. In fact, it is a yucca and looks more like a palm tree with large branches that give it the appearance of a person with their arms raised. The leaves have spines on the edges and are relatively smooth and thick.
Flowers
In the spring, most deserts come alive with multi-colored wildflowers in a variety of shapes and sizes. A few examples of wildflowers are blue phacelia, brown eyed evening primrose, cliffrose, desert chicory, desert globemallow, desert lily, lupine, mariposa lily, marigold, desert paintbrush, desert pincushion, sunflower, dogbane (which is poisonous), filaree storksbill, woolly daisy and the yellow beeplant.
Native Plant Adaptations
Desert plants have developed special adaptations to withstand the extremes of desert life. Xerophytes are plants that have specialized physical adaptations such as having small leaves with waxy coatings to reduce moisture loss, or hairy coverings on the leaves to stop evaporation because the hairs reflect the sunlight and protect the leaf surface from drying winds. Many flowering plants will grow and reproduce very quickly right after rainfall. Cacti retain water in their tissues so they can use it during the driest parts of the year, or years. Thorns and spines help to protect the plants from predators who would otherwise eat the plant to get to the moisture.
Desert Medicinal Plants
There are some native plants of the desert areas that have medicinal properties. Ephedra, or Mormon tea, can be brewed into a tea to treat urinary infections, colds and nasal problems. Gumweed, related to sunflowers, is used to treat asthma or bronchitis by eating the sticky heads of the flowers. The root of the wild licorice plant can be ground up and used in a tea to help boost the immune system. Pectin from the prickly pear cactus plant can lower cholesterol and can possibly reduce the need for insulin in diabetics. The mesquite plant's seed pods can be ground into a flour and used to help diabetics control their blood sugar because it contains fructose, which does not need insulin to be processed in the body.
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