Saguaro Cacti
What part of the cactus stores water?
✅ The stem
What covers the leaves of the mesquite tree?
✅ A waxy coating
Why is it hard for plants to survive in the desert?
✅ Very little rain and it is very hot
True or False – There are deserts all over the world except Europe.
✅ True
A plant part that goes deep underground to get water.
✅ Taproot
Why does the cactus have spines instead of leaves?
✅ To prevent water loss and protect the plant
What do the thorns on mesquite trees do?
✅ Help minimize water loss (and protect the plant)
What do plants in the desert need to save the most?
✅ Water
What is the hottest desert in the world?
✅ The Sahara Desert
To take in water quickly (what cactus roots do).
✅ Absorb
About how many liters of water can a full-grown cactus store?
✅ Up to 760 liters
What are the long roots of the mesquite tree called?
✅ Taproots
Which plant absorbs water quickly when it rains?
✅ Saguaro cactus
Which desert is cold instead of hot?
✅ The Gobi Desert
A long time with very little or no rain.
✅ Drought
What kind of roots does a saguaro cactus have?
✅ Shallow roots
How deep can mesquite tree roots go?
✅ Up to 50 meters deep
Which plant gets water from deep underground?
✅ Mesquite tree
True or False – All deserts are hot.
✅ False
A thick outer covering on cactus stems that keeps water inside.
✅ Waxy skin
When it rains, what do the cactus roots do?
✅ They quickly absorb water from the soil
Why are taproots helpful for mesquite trees in deserts?
✅ They reach deep underground to find water
Name two different ways desert plants survive.
✅ Cactus stores water in stem / spines prevent water loss / mesquite has deep taproots
Name two deserts other than the Sahara.
✅ Example answers: Kalahari, Mojave, Atacama, Gobi
Small sharp parts that protect a cactus.
✅ Spines