Desert Garden at Huntington Library_092009

Another half day spent at Huntington Library under the fair weather. We chose to visit the 12-acre Desert Garden on a cool morning. It has the world's largest group of mature cacti and other succulents, arranged by continent. It's hardly a desert, though most of its plants are from dry regions. Planted here are over 5000 different species of xerophytes - succulents, trees, and shrubs that are adapted to arid environments. Though they come from disparate areas of the world and may be un-related, many xerophytes appear similar, having evolved similar strategies for survival in dry habitats.