Smelly smells of the Desert Southwest

Some very odorous plants reside in the desert. Especially the unpalatable, habitual (and habitat forming!), millennium living Creosote bush. This plant is in the family Zygophyllaceae and has the scientific name Larrea tridentata. In some of the harshest flats, it may grow as the only species. Plants in the family are sources of timber, resin, medicines (mildly toxic), etc. and grow in arid climates. The creosote bush can be dormant for up to 2 years, and will drop its leaves and, in extreme circumstances, some of its branches too, in an effort to keep the main part alive.

But when the rain comes, the leaves of the geminate leaves of the creosote open up and come alive. The chemicals in its resins become volatile and give the desert its "rain smell" that's so unique from the usual petrichor. On our drive out of Organ Pipe National Monument, it rained lightly, and we got to take it all in.

Publicado el marzo 10, 2022 08:24 TARDE por olesyamalakhova