Barrel CactusBarrel Cactus

TThe pleated shape of the he pleated shape of the Barrel Cactus allows it to Barrel Cactus allows it to expand when it rains and expand when it rains and store water in its spongy store water in its spongy tissue.tissue.

It shrinks in size during dry It shrinks in size during dry times as it uses the stored times as it uses the stored water. water. 

Old Man CactusOld Man Cactus

The The white hairy surface of the Old Man white hairy surface of the Old Man Cactus helps the plant reflect the hot desert Cactus helps the plant reflect the hot desert sun.sun.

Prickly Pear CactusPrickly Pear Cactus

SSince many desert plants store water in their ince many desert plants store water in their spongy tissue, animals will eat them for the spongy tissue, animals will eat them for the moisture. moisture.

The thorns keep them safe from many animal The thorns keep them safe from many animal predators. predators.

Dragon TreeDragon Tree TThe Dragon Tree is not from the he Dragon Tree is not from the

American deserts. American deserts. It is from the Canary Islands. It is from the Canary Islands. It has a sap that hardens to a It has a sap that hardens to a

dark red. dark red. People call the sap "Dragon's People call the sap "Dragon's

Blood." Blood." The sap is sometimes used as a The sap is sometimes used as a

fake stone in jewelry. fake stone in jewelry. 

Fish Hook CactusFish Hook Cactus

TThe fish hook shaped spines of the Fish Hook he fish hook shaped spines of the Fish Hook Cactus help divert heat and shade the growing Cactus help divert heat and shade the growing tip of the plant. tip of the plant.

Many cacti lean further toward the sun as they Many cacti lean further toward the sun as they grow. grow.

Some may eventually uproot themselves Some may eventually uproot themselves

Desert SpoonDesert Spoon SSucculent leaves can store water ucculent leaves can store water

inside them. inside them. These leaves are usually thick and These leaves are usually thick and

tough to reduce water loss. tough to reduce water loss. The Desert Spoon has leaves that The Desert Spoon has leaves that

are trimmed and polished for sales are trimmed and polished for sales as curios. as curios.

The papago and Pima Indians use The papago and Pima Indians use them in baskets. them in baskets.

The woody stems contain a sugary The woody stems contain a sugary sap that can be fermented into a sap that can be fermented into a drink that is called sotol.drink that is called sotol.