Arid Plants Display of plants that have unique adaption's to arid conditions. The gardens are designed to display a range of species with adaptations for survival under arid (dry) conditions and to maintain develop and display arid species as a significant component of the RBG landscape. To raise visitors awareness of the unique function and form adaptations of succulent plants to survive arid conditions and to highlight their use in the landscape. Key Plants
Curator Notes
History
Key Plants
| Cereus peruvianus | Large blue/green cactus. Large white flowers in early summer | | Euphorbia splendens | Medium shrub with spiny stems. Red flowers most of the year. Semi-deciduous in winter. | | Orbea variegata | Small ground cover succulent. Flowers smell like rotting flesh. Pollinated by flies. | | Kalanchoe beharensis | Medium to tall tree. Large grey leaves that feel like felt to touch. | | Myrtillocactus geometrizans | Large blue/green cactus. Growth looks like clenched fists. | | Sedum rubrotinctum | Small ground cover succulent. Foliage becomes bright red in dry conditions. |
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Curator Notes
- It is a misconception that all succulents thrive in arid conditions. Some succulents i.e. Echeverias will tolerate but certainly not thrive in extreme dry.
- Often cacti will flower after rainfall when there has been a long dry period.
- Most yuccas and agave will die after flowering but will produce pups (small plants) around its base to reproduce.
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History
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