Non-flowering plants

Don't think that there are only succulents, trees and shrubs in the desert, don't forget there are also non-flowering plants and wildflowers! But of the years they are hidden. So let's see what they are!

Mosses

As deserts are so dry, it is not very suitable for mosses to grow there, yet there are various species of moss, like those of the genus Tortulle, especially on rocky slope and in crevices, where there is less direct sunlight. Sometimes they just dry out completely when it is unbearably hot, and resume when they are provided with water. This may need a few seasons or even a year. Some species have been found to recover after 250 years without water! They can withstand temperatures as high as 55 degrees when dry.

Desert Lichens

[ Lichens ]

They are combinations of algae and fungi. The algal cells live within the fungi, protected by the fungal threads, which shade them from intense radiation. In return, the algae provides nutrition from photosynthesis for the fungus. Lichens have no root systems, but they absorb water vapour from the air. Lichens exist in many forms. Some are leaf-like structures, some are branching mats, others are superficial crusts on rocks. Like the mosses, lichens dry out when there is insufficent water and they can tolerate both high and low temperatures.

Mushrooms

Don't think that there are no "mushrooms" in the deserts. There are some, but very little. They are very strange-looking and they are poisionous. Below are some species of them.

Desert Stalked Puffball[ Desert puffball ]

Although this is called a puffball, it is not edible. The spore sac is oval and it will spilt open in the middle at maturity. This mushroom is woody

Buried Stalk Puffball

This mushroom is often buried underground so it is very hard for us to see it.