The "blooming desert" is a
natural phenomenon that shows up when generous rain dip the dry soil
of desert
regions and small seeds and bulbs, that have been under soil for
years , germinate and grow giving life to beautiful
ephemeral
multicoloured flowers; The dry scenery transforms in an unique,
spectacular and impressive show.
The miracle of the desert in flower
shows up after that abundant precipitation has fallen down
allowing small seeds and bulbs, that have been dormant for years
under soil, rocky crags and sand dunes to germinate, the
desert pavement initiate soon to become a green cover then it
reaches a wide range of colours that now break the normally grey
horizons, with areas of vibrant red, green, violet and yellow.
Flowers and plants of various characteristics together with a
great number of insects, birds, and animal, generating a very
special ecosystem, where all the elements of nature live
together in harmony during the short time that climate
conditions allow. This spectacular and impressive spectacle,
attracting visitors for its beauty and piquing the interest of
scientists. The flowering desert is a natural treasure, with a
fragility that originates in its beauty, because it is
constantly exposed to the harmful actions of tourists, who leave
behind waste and are not contented with just looking at the
flowers, but take them from the desert.
Some species of climbing
plants develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on
trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and
crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place.
Climbing plants, like the poison ivy (Toxicodendron
radicans), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus
tricuspidata), and trumpet creeper (Campsis
radicans), develop holdfast roots which help to
support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their
way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly
in place. Usually the Holdfast roots die at the end of the first
season, but in some species they are perennial. In the tropics
some of the large climbing plants have hold-fast roots by which
they attach themselves, and long, cord-like roots that extend
downward through the air and may lengthen and branch for several
years until they strike the soil and become absorbent roots.
Major references and further lectures:
1) E. N. Transeau “General Botany” Discovery Publishing House,
1994
