Deserts are natural areas characterized by high temperatures, lack of humidity, almost complete absence of precipitation and a strong drop in temperature at night. Deserts are not associated with fertile soils where fruits and vegetables, trees and flowers grow. At the same time, the flora of these natural zones is unique and diverse. It will be discussed in this article.
Fitness
Botanists still do not have reliable information on how desert plants have changed. According to one version, some adaptation functions were acquired by them millions of years ago due to environmental changes. Therefore, representatives of the flora were forced to adapt to adverse conditions. So, during rain, the processes of growth and flowering are activated. So, what are the characteristics of desert plants?
- The root system is very deep, it is highly developed. Roots penetrate the soil to a great depth in search of groundwater. Absorbing them, they transfer moisture to the upper parts of plants. Those representatives of the flora that have this feature are called phreatophytes.
- The roots of some plants, on the contrary, grow horizontally on the surface of the earth. This allows them to absorb as much water as possible during periods of rain. Those species that combine both of the above features are best suited for life in desert regions.
- For representatives of flora growing in deserts, it is very important to accumulate a large amount of water. In this they are helped by absolutely all parts of the plants, especially the stems. These organs not only perform a storage function, but also are the site of photosynthesis reactions. Simply put, stems can replace leaves. To keep moisture longer in the plant's body, the stems are covered with a thick layer of wax. He also protects them from the heat and the scorching sun.
- The leaves of desert crops are small, with wax on them. They also store water. Not all plants have leaves. In cacti, for example, they are represented by prickly spikes. This prevents a waste of moisture.
So, there are properties created by evolutionary way that allow representatives of the flora to exist in the desert zone. What plants can be found there? Below is a description of the most popular of them.
Kleistocactus Strauss
This plant is often called a woolen torch. This is due to its appearance. Kleistocactus can grow up to 3 meters. Its stems grow vertically up, have a gray-green color. The ribs of the culture are dotted with medium-sized white areoles located at a short distance from each other. It is about 5 mm. Thanks to this, the plant seems to be woolen, which is why it got its "folk" name.
Flowering occurs at the end of summer. At this time, the formation of dark red colors, which have a cylindrical shape. It can be grown at low temperatures, which reach –10 ° C. The territory of Argentina and Bolivia is considered the birthplace of culture.
Wolemia
This desert plant, the description of which is presented in this article, is one of the rarest conifers in the world (discovered in 1994). It can only be found on the territory of such a continent as Australia. Wolemia is considered one of the oldest plant species. Most likely, the history of the tree began at least 200 million years ago, and today it refers to relict ones.
The plant looks mysterious and unusual. So its trunk in shape resembles an ascending chain. On each tree, female and male cones are formed. Wolemia perfectly adapts to adverse environmental conditions. It tolerates fairly low temperatures dropping to –12 ° C.
Desert iron tree
This plant can be found in North America, namely in the Sonora desert. In height, it can reach 10 m. The diameter of the trunk, on average, is about 60 cm, but in some places it can expand or contract. A plant can be either a bush or a tree. Its bark changes color over time. The young tree has a smooth shiny gray bark, and subsequently it becomes fibrous.
Despite the fact that this plant is considered evergreen, at low (colder than 2 ° C) temperatures, it loses its foliage. With prolonged absence of rainfall, the leaves also fall. The flowering period begins in late April - May and ends in June. At this time, pale pink, purple, purplish-red or white flowers appear. The density of the desert tree is very high, it exceeds this indicator near the water, which is why the plant is drowning. It is hard and heavy. Since the wood is strong and fibrous, it is used for the manufacture of knife handles.
Euphorbia fat
Due to its unusual shape, it is often called a “baseball” plant. This representative of the flora is distributed in South Africa, namely in the Karu desert.
Euphorbia has a small size. So, its diameter is about 6 - 15 cm and depends on age. The shape of this typical desert plant is spherical. However, it becomes cylindrical over time. In most cases, the fat euphorbia has 8 faces. Small cones are located on them. The flowers of this representative of the flora are commonly called cyatias. This plant can store water for a long period of time.
Cylindropuntia
These desert plants are often called "cholla." They can be found in the United States, namely in the southwestern regions and in the Sonora desert. This representative of the flora is perennial. Its entire surface is covered with sharp silver needles. Their size is 2.5 cm. Due to the fact that cylindropuntia densely covers all the free space, the plant can be confused with a small dwarf forest. A large amount of water accumulates in a thick trunk, which allows the culture not to suffer much from the hot desert climate. The flowering period begins in February and ends in May. At this time, greenish flowers form on the plant.
Carnegia
What other desert plants exist? These include the Carnegia cactus. This representative of the flora can reach a truly gigantic size. So its height is about 15 m. This plant grows in the United States, in Arizona, in the Sonora desert.
The flowering period of Carnegie falls in the spring. An interesting fact is that the cactus flower is the national symbol of Arizona. Thanks to the presence of thick spikes, the culture saves precious water. Carnegia is a long-liver. Her age can reach 75 - 150 years.
African Hydnor
One of the strangest desert plants common in Africa is the African hydorno. Due to its unusual and very extravagant appearance, not all botanists attribute this organism to representatives of the flora. Gidnors have no leaves. The brown trunk can merge with the surrounding space. This plant becomes most noticeable during the flowering period. At this time, spherical flowers form on the stem. Outside they are painted in brown, and inside - in orange. In order for the insects to pollinate the plant, the hydra emits a pungent odor. Thus, she continues her family.
Baobab
The baobab tree, known to many, belongs to the genus Adansonia. His homeland is the African continent. This tree is most often found in the southern region of the Sahara desert. Most of the landscape here is represented by the baobab. By the presence of this plant, it can be determined whether there are nearby fresh water sources in the desert. Adaptation of plants to adverse conditions can occur in various ways. So, the growth rate of a baobab directly depends on the presence and amount of groundwater or rainfall, so the trees choose the wettest places for their life.
This plant is a long-liver. The maximum age ever reached by representatives of this species is 1,500 years. Baobab is not only a guide in the desert, but it can also save lives. The fact is that near this tree you can find food and water. Some parts of the plant can be used as medicine or take shelter under a spreading crown from the heat. People from all over the world make legends about this representative of the flora. It attracts many tourists. Previously, the names of scientists and travelers were carved on it, and now tree trunks are spoiled by graffiti and other drawings.
Saxaul
A desert plant may look like a bush or a short tree. It can be found on the territory of such states as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran and China. Often, several trees grow close to each other at once. In this case, they form a kind of forest.
Saksaul is a desert plant that can reach a height of 5-8 m. The trunk of this representative flora is curved, but its surface is very smooth. Diameter varies within one meter. The massive, bright green crown looks very noticeable. Leaves are represented by small scales. With the participation of green shoots, the process of photosynthesis takes place. When strong gusts of wind act on the tree, the branches begin to wave and cascade down. During flowering, pale pink or raspberry flowers appear on them. In appearance, you might think that saxaul is a very fragile plant that is not able to withstand the weather. However, this is not so, because it has a very powerful root system.