Did you know?
Many desert trees shed their leaves in during the summer and appear to be dead. Actually, the trunk and branches can withstand the heat and the new leaves will come out when it is cooler.
These plants are mostly found in stony deserts. Most of these are extremely thorny. For example the acacia, which can be found in the Sahara desert and the Australian desert. These flowers are used to make liquid soap because of it's fragrent smell. Sayaul trees often occupy much of the central Asian deserts. In American deserts, the creosote is famous for its scent(wood preservative) and is one of the most widespread desert plants.
All these desert shrubs and trees have very long root systems with some reaching 250ft! These long root systems help them to find underground water and also to grasp firmly on the shifting sands. Many shrubs and trees lose their leaves in the summer and also shed their branches. Therefore the internal workings slow down and almost comes to a standstill. During the hottest part of the year, the plant remains like dead. But their woody tissues are resistant to the sun and some can dry out COMPLETELY without sying. So when the rain comes, leaves willl sprout from 'dead' branches. Plants which are undergoing this cycle are usually growing very slowly. On the other hand, they can live a very long life---some pine trees have survived over 2000 years old!
Trees
THE YUCCA
[ The yucca ]
The yucca is a beautiful desert plant with tall spikes. On the thick straight stem are the little bell-like white flowers and pointed leaves. Interestingly, yuccas flourish in areas where desert animals gather together. This is maybe because that the animals excrete waste here, and these are rich in nitrogen.
THE ACACIA
[
The Acacia ]
Don't think that the only plants with spikes are the cacti, the acacias also have spines all over. But where are their leaves? When lightning comes, it may strike the leaves and ignite them. As a result, all the leaves will be burnt. The acacia belongs to the shrub's family and live in hot places like the desert. They have spikes as long as 6cm (2 1/2 inches) and usually produce little flowers which are yellow or white in colour. Though this plant is covered with spines, it does not mean that all animals cannot eat it. The oryx in Africa has a very slender snout. It can go between the dangerous spikes and nibble the plant.
The Joshua Tree
[
The Joshua Tree ]
Bushes
The creosote
This plant grows in American deserts---the Great Basin. They have a very extensive root system which absorbs every drop of moisture from the surface layer of the soil. No plant can live near this bush, so there is a bare circle of land around it. Gradually, as the bush gets older and older, the middle bit dies and a hollow ring is formed. The process continues. The largest one measures more than 80 ft across. Although the visible branches are only a few centuries old, a cresote bush may at least be 10,000 years old already.