#haloxylon ammodendron

[collectiveofanimals]

Black Saxaul

Haloxylon ammodendron

Haloxylon translates into salt wood, while ammodendron means sand tree.

Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family)

Fun Fact: "The mature plant produces minuscule yellow flowers. It has leaves so small that they may not be readily apparent-- an adaptation that helps minimize the loss of moisture through evaporation in the desert environment. According to authorities, A. Shahbazi, K. Nosrati, and G. R. Zehtabian, the saxaul uses its succulent stems for photosynthesis."(Source)

Habitat: They are endemic to the Gobi Desert (Iran to Central Asia)

[squeezebottle]

Cistanche deserticola is a parasitic plant that lives in the Gobi desert. It feeds off of the roots of the Gobi's only native tree, saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron) as it lacks the chlorophyll to produce nutrients for itself. The flower stalks can be up to 5 feet tall.