Thursday 19 January 2012

Desert Christmas Tree




Found in the deserts of California  and Arizona in the USA, these amazing desert plants  are commonly known as 'Desert Christmas Tree', 'Scaly stemmed sand plant' and  'Purple sand food'.  This plant is a parasite - it is a heterotroph -meaning,  they get nutrients from other plants. 
Did you notice that the plant is not green? That's because the plant lacks chlorophyll (the green substance that makes the plant look green).  They have a grayish- brownish color.
I'm in awe of the plants conical shape, the purple blooms and the  gray-brown color of the plant. I'm simply in awe of nature, as always.



Copyrighted image from http://plants.usda.gov
©Mark W. Skinner. United States, CA, San Diego Co., Anza Borrego State park, Quartz Vein Wash. Large Photo of Pholisma arenarium

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