The Life Cycle of Desert Plants
American desert plants have different life cycles, depending on the species. Some can live for as long as 200 years, as is the case with some cacti whereas others, such as certain wildflowers, may lie dormant for many years before coming to life.
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Cacti
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Cacti produce flowers, which develop into fruits that contain the seeds of this common desert plant. The seeds fall to the ground over time, but only a minute percentage ever develop into a new cactus. In some cases the stems that break off and fall develop into a separate cactus.
Dormant
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Certain perennial species will remain in a state of dormancy during extreme dry spells before returning to life after a rain. These plants rapidly develop new leaves, bloom, go to seed, and then once again become dormant until the next extensive rain.
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Ephemerals
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Hundreds of kinds of wildflowers in the desert are ephemeral, meaning they are annual plants that only germinate when conditions are just right. The seeds can lay in the soil until it rains and the sunlight and temperature are ideal, causing them to germinate.
Rapid Life Cycle
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Ephemeral wildflowers grow rapidly, completing their life cycle in a matter of weeks rather than months. They grow, flower, and create seeds that scatter; then the plant will perish.
Long Lived
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Some types of trees that survive in the desert reach incredible ages, such as the ponderosa pine. The tree is not even sexually mature until it is about 50 years old, and some individual trees live for a thousand years.
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