Trees
Because of their larger structure, trees require greater amounts of water to survive and can only endure in the deserts where extra amounts of moisture are available—in desert mountains, washes, and riparian zones. “Phreatophyte” is a term applied to deep-rooted plants that obtain water from a permanent underground supply. Roots of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) can tap into water at a depth of 160 feet (Barbour et al., 1991). These trees are winter-deciduous, losing their leaves and going into a semi-dormant state during the winter months.
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Desert Trees
