Plants
`Sahara desert plants are species also known as "xerophytes". Xerophytes are plants that are limited of only a supply of water. But the Sahara desert still has some areas that are lush and green. The "Nile Valley" for example. You can still find plants, trees and other living creatures there. Also to the North of the Sahara desert, along the Mediterranean, you see a hole bunch of olive trees.
Types of Plants
-The "African welwitchsia" survived harsh conditions of the Sahara desert from its extreme deep roots. These roots go deep into the earth and absorb as much water as they can. This helps the plant deal with the hot and dry desert conditions. Also has been known to survive for over hundreds or even thousands of years.
-The "African peyote" is a cactus built with thick stems. The thickness helps the plant hold back water for a long amount of time. The leaves of the cactus are grown into spines. This helps prevent water loss from the stomata from evaporation. In replacement of any rain in the desert, these properties of the plant are the main reasons for its survival. This plant is also used for medicinal purposes. Mescaline, an alkaloid found in the plant, has been found to be effective.
-The "Eragrostis" is a kind of grass that is prevalent in the region. This grass spreads quickly, and is used by the inhabitants of the desert. Eragrostis is also pknown as 'lovegrass'.
-"Common Fig" is a tree that reaches a height of up to 6 m, also in the list of the plants that survive in the Sahara Desert. Surprisingly the growth of this moist, and edible fruit-bearing tree in the desert, it is a true fact that figs have been a staple of the people's diet.
-"Date palm" is the most important exports of the desert's plants. It also is an important source of food for the locals. Most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks include the date palm as one of the ingredients. It is also used in the making of certain sweets and stockfeed native to the region. The leaves of this plant are also cooked as vegetables by the natives. Even the seeds of the plant are used for making flour or bread.
-"Doum Palm" this native plant of the Nile River Valley is also known as gingerbread palm, gingerbread tree, doum palm and Egyptian palm. It is used in tea or made into molasses, cakes and sweetmeats. This palm tree does not produce branches and its seeds can be found in many Egyptian tombs. It was a sacred tree for the ancient Egyptians. Also being a major food source for the animals.
-"Thyme herbs" are used in African and Middle East dishes and meals. Typically known as Thymus vulgaris, this herb has been used for treating indigestion, respiratory infections, and spasms. Thyme herbs are drought-resistant and grow easily in the dry soils of the desert.
-"Magaria fruits" are consisted of a brown color and roughly resemble cherries. Flour extracted from dried magaria fruits are typically used by the people of the to make cakes. The branches of the trees are used for building fences around fields, for protection against animals.\
-"Olive Trees" Few people are aware of the fact that olive trees are also found in areas bordering the Nile river. It was in Africa where the olive trees were first found and later they had spread to other countries. Olive trees are also an important plant in the ecosystem.
These trees also involve as a business for the natives. These were the common types of plants that show as an essential part of life in the Sahara desert. These plants adapt to unreliable precipitation and extremely humid heat, and aridity of the desert. The plants are an important food resource for the people and the animals to survive with such sparse vegetation. Not only do these plants make up for the food supply, they are also part of the people's livelihood in the desert too.
Types of Plants
-The "African welwitchsia" survived harsh conditions of the Sahara desert from its extreme deep roots. These roots go deep into the earth and absorb as much water as they can. This helps the plant deal with the hot and dry desert conditions. Also has been known to survive for over hundreds or even thousands of years.
-The "African peyote" is a cactus built with thick stems. The thickness helps the plant hold back water for a long amount of time. The leaves of the cactus are grown into spines. This helps prevent water loss from the stomata from evaporation. In replacement of any rain in the desert, these properties of the plant are the main reasons for its survival. This plant is also used for medicinal purposes. Mescaline, an alkaloid found in the plant, has been found to be effective.
-The "Eragrostis" is a kind of grass that is prevalent in the region. This grass spreads quickly, and is used by the inhabitants of the desert. Eragrostis is also pknown as 'lovegrass'.
-"Common Fig" is a tree that reaches a height of up to 6 m, also in the list of the plants that survive in the Sahara Desert. Surprisingly the growth of this moist, and edible fruit-bearing tree in the desert, it is a true fact that figs have been a staple of the people's diet.
-"Date palm" is the most important exports of the desert's plants. It also is an important source of food for the locals. Most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks include the date palm as one of the ingredients. It is also used in the making of certain sweets and stockfeed native to the region. The leaves of this plant are also cooked as vegetables by the natives. Even the seeds of the plant are used for making flour or bread.
-"Doum Palm" this native plant of the Nile River Valley is also known as gingerbread palm, gingerbread tree, doum palm and Egyptian palm. It is used in tea or made into molasses, cakes and sweetmeats. This palm tree does not produce branches and its seeds can be found in many Egyptian tombs. It was a sacred tree for the ancient Egyptians. Also being a major food source for the animals.
-"Thyme herbs" are used in African and Middle East dishes and meals. Typically known as Thymus vulgaris, this herb has been used for treating indigestion, respiratory infections, and spasms. Thyme herbs are drought-resistant and grow easily in the dry soils of the desert.
-"Magaria fruits" are consisted of a brown color and roughly resemble cherries. Flour extracted from dried magaria fruits are typically used by the people of the to make cakes. The branches of the trees are used for building fences around fields, for protection against animals.\
-"Olive Trees" Few people are aware of the fact that olive trees are also found in areas bordering the Nile river. It was in Africa where the olive trees were first found and later they had spread to other countries. Olive trees are also an important plant in the ecosystem.
These trees also involve as a business for the natives. These were the common types of plants that show as an essential part of life in the Sahara desert. These plants adapt to unreliable precipitation and extremely humid heat, and aridity of the desert. The plants are an important food resource for the people and the animals to survive with such sparse vegetation. Not only do these plants make up for the food supply, they are also part of the people's livelihood in the desert too.