Desert Plants

This saguaro cactus holds plenty of water and has a waxy layer for protection from the Sun. Click on image for full size (69K JPG) Courtesy of Corel Photography

There are many plants that live in the desert. They have to hold water inside them to stay alive. These plants are called succulents. Cacti are the most famous desert plants.

There are many species of cactus. Some of them look like green poles, other ones look like spiny rocks or weeds. They all have a soft inside that holds water, and a waxy layer on the outside to protect them from the Sun.

There are other plants besides cacti. Some have flowers and thorns, and some even have poison!