Cacti are the most famous of all desert plants.  They are native to North and South America deserts, but they have been introduced to other parts of the world. 

Cacti are flowering plants.  Some produce flowers every year, while other hardly come into blossom.  Birds visit to extract sugary nectar from their flowers or search their stems for insects.

One such beauty is the giant saguaro.  Visit the page on which you can read more about this desert giant.

It truly is amazing that any plants can learn to survive in the desert.  Some have special ways of surviving.  They suck up as much water as they can during occasional rains and store it in their stems or their leaves.  Some plants have long taproots which grow deep to reach underground water tables.  While others store food and water underground in the thickened roots, bulbs, or tubers.  The stems of such plants, exposed to sun and wind, could look dead, but as soon as the rain comes they spring back to life.

  

 

 

Two of the main adaptations of plants in parched environments is having an economical water management system, and maximizing the energy gain from the process of photosynthesis. (*Remember when we studied autumn?)

Some plants, called xerophytes, have adapted their physical structure to suit the rigors such a harsh environment. These plants have adapted by having smaller leaves, grow compactly and close to the ground, and a non-porous covering on their leaves such as wax. Hair on the leaves of plants helps to reduce the evaporation of moisture from the surface of leaves by reflecting sunlight and inhibiting air movement. The process of photosynthesis requires both carbon dioxide and water to create energy for the plant. Water is usually absorbed through the roots, and carbon dioxide is absorbed through tiny pores in the plant called stomata. Through the stomata the plant is able to obtain carbon dioxide, but it also loses water by evaporation when the pores are open. Some plants cope with the water loss problem by having fewer stomata, or by having the stomata only open at night when it is cooler. All of these adaptations help to reduce evaporation and transpiration of water.