Rio Grande Village Nature Trail Stop #5

Creosote bush flowers

NPS/CA Hoyt

Quick Facts

Location:

Rio Grande Village Nature Trail

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

You are surrounded by widely spaced low shrubs called creosote bush. Plants such as creosote bush and cactus are desert "resistors". These plants are well adapted to the desert heat and aridity. What makes them different? What enables them to survive under such harsh conditions? Notice the creosote bush has small, smooth, waxy, leaves which help to prevent water loss. See how the plants are spaced to lessen competition from their neighbors. Most "resistors" have shallow roots to capture even the slightest rainfall. Cactus even store water in their fleshy stems and pads for use during times of little rain. Contrary to popular belief, trying to drink water from a cactus is not safe. Water from cactus is highly acidic and drinking it can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting, leading you to become even more dehydrated.