Desert Plants: Perennials

Perenial plants that grow where there is little water survive by storing most of their energy underground and remaining dormant most of the year.  You might think that a plant is dead, but often it is alive underground waiting for the spring rains.

Desert Perennials at MojaveDesert.Net
Desert Perennials at UNM.edu
Desert Perennials at DesertUSAhttp://www.desertusa.com/du_plantsurv.html

Desert Plants: Phreatophytes

Phreatophytes are plants that grow where there is little water by accessing water sources through their exceptionally long roots called tap roots.

Phreatophytes at MojaveDesert.Net
Phreatophytes at UNM.udu
Phreatophytes at DesertUSA

Desert Plants: xerophytes

Xerophytes are plants adapted to grow where there is little water by reducing transpiration by having no leaves but instead storing water in its spongy interior, having waxy exteriors, and extensive radial shallow roots.  You can recognize these plants by their unique look; many are cacti. They have spines, thorns, or hairs.

Xerophytes Dictionary.com
Xerophytes at MojaveDesert.Net
Xerophytes at UNM.edu
Xerophytes at DesertUSA

Desert Plants: Annuals

Filmed in Namaqualand in an arid region, this video has impressive time lapse photos of a variety of blooming flowers. The African Desert garden needs winter rains. Notable quotes:

• "one of the greatest natural spectacles on earth"
• "seeds, bulbs and cunning adaptations"
• "they fight for the attention of pollinators large and small"

Annual plant species that grow where there is little water survive by having a quick reproduction cycle and by producing lots and drought- and heat-resistant seeds. You can spot annuals in the spring by their many flowers.
Annual plant
Annual flowers from Plan and Plant
hardy
Desert Annuals at NMU.edu
Desert Annuals at DesertUSA