VEGETATION
In hot deserts the most common life forms are xerophytes and ephemeral plant species with a short lifespan.
During the dry seasons, ephemeral plants survive in a dormant state as seeds that germinate only after it’s rained. Then they grow quickly, flower and make new seeds – which may have to wait for years until it rains again.
Xerophytes are plants that have developed ways to survive in desert conditions. A few of them have tiny leaves or spines instead of leaves (for example, cacti), while others have long taproots or a waxy layer on their leaves to reduce water loss.
Another survival strategy is to store water in the stems, leaves, roots or even fruit (as with succulents). These plants can also keep desert animals at bay with their thorns or bitter sap.