Features of Southwest Trees and Plants

Features of Desert Plants and Trees

About 20% of the Earth’s land surface is considered desert. The Sonoran Desert is characterized with abundant plant life. Desert plants thrive in this area which on average only gets 7 inches a rainfall a year. One of the main reasons is because of their adaptability to their surroundings.

Features of Desert Plants

Low Water
Desert plant survival depends on being able to exist little rainfall. These are commonly referred to as low-water-plants and trees or drought resistant plants and trees. Plants cope with little to no rain during the dry months by going dormant or using stored moisture within the plant itself.
Small or No Leaves
Moisture evaporates through leaves. Leaves are used for photosynthesis, turning sunlight into energy for the plant to grow. Desert trees like Palo Verde, Iron Wood and Mesquite have very small leaves to reduce water escaping while still allowing photosynthesis. In contrast Cacti don't have leaves at all. The pads of the cacti replace the leaves for converting sunlight.

  

Thorns
Many desert plants have needles, stickers and thorns. Since the plants store moisture inside themselves, they require some sort of protection against animals, in order to survive. Thorns are the protection.
Ability to Quickly Absorb Water
When it rains, desert plants must be able to absorb the water quickly before it runs off or evaporates. Plants will cluster around streams and creeks to absorb any underground moisture that may be available even when the creek is dry.
Metabolism

Many plants lose hundreds of gallons of water each year through their stomata, a loss that desert plants cannot afford. While other adaptations limit water loss, plants must open their stomata sometimes to obtain the carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis, or they will starve. Many desert species use a special kind of photosynthesis called the C-4 pathway. During this process, carbon dioxide produced during respiration is recycled within the plant and used for photosynthesis, allowing the plant to keep its stomata closed.


Moon Valley Nursery has captured the essence of the Southwest and much more in all of our nurseries. We grow our plants and trees in the Southwest so that they are nurtured and thrive in their own environment, and will feel right at home in your yard. Call Moon Valley Nursery at 602-938-6666 or visit us at www.moonvalleynursery.com