Plants+in+the+Desert+biome

=Plants in the Desert Biome=

= || || =  The Barrel Cactus can be easily told apart from other cacti because of its cylinder shape. This cactus is really about the size of a man and has 3 - 4 inch spines, which are very dangerous. It has numerous uses. Native Americans used to stew the Barrel Cactus to make a cabbage like food. They got water from the pulp and used the spines as fish hooks. = = The Chain Fruit Cholla is a shrubby cactus. It has many segmented, drooping branches which are covered in a dense layer of spines. The branches have straw colored sheath on them. The sheath prevent over heating and prevent sunlight. It can grow to be 15 ft, and 6 ft across. The Chain Fruit Cholla is also called the Jumping Cholla because if the branches are brushed against, they break of and stick to you. The Ocotillo is indigenous to the Sonoran Desert, which is in the Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico. It is useful to both animals and mankind. The Ocotillo is abundant in the Southwest because of the well drained soil on rocky slopes, mesas, out washed plains and desert grasslands. The ocotillo is a deciduous, drought tolerant shrub. It can be leafless for a long time beacuse of the deep roots that do not get much water. The leaves are thick and leather like and grow several times in the growing season depending on the amount of rainwater available. The leaves are oval shaped and about 2 inches. The leaves turn brown and fall off when water is scarce. When the leaves die the stalk and part of the steam become woody and form spines. In the spring the Ocotillo produces flowers, which bright red. The Ocotillo has adapted to its environment by shedding its small leaves when it is very dry. It can grow new leaves 5 days after getting water. Its' wide root system gathers rainwater. It also produes food during dry spells. The shrub is very plentiful because it is easily cultivated. The shrubs spikes also stop people and animals from passing through, so it is used as fencing. The Soaptree Yucca is found in the southwestern U.S. It is named this way because if you look inside the roots and trunk of the plant is a soapy substance, which was used as a substitute for soap. The Yucca can be found in almost any climate.

The Jumping Cholla is covered with silvery spines. If you are unlucky and come to touch the spines. the segments break off and be stuck to you. When the spines break off they seem to jump at you, which is where the name comes from.  The thick covering of spines shades the plant from the desert heat. The spines also prevent animals from eating them. The stems are separated into segments that store water and allow for photosynthesis. 

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