Arid House
Carnegiea gigantea (Giant Cactus)
The Giant Cactus is a tree-like cactus that can grow to be over 40 feet tall and can absorb almost 200 gallons of water in a rainstorm! In nature, it grows in parts of Arizona, California, and Mexico.
Opuntia dillenii (Prickly Pear Cactus)
Even though different kinds of cacti have a lot in common, they can have very different features. Compare this Prickly Pear Cactus to the Giant Cactus. Do you see how the Prickly Pear has structures that look like leaves, while the Giant Cactus does not? In order to survive in the desert, the leaves of the Prickly Pear Cactus are 88% water.
Echinocereus ledingii (Hedgehog Cactus)
This cactus is small and fairly easy to grow, and many people grow them in pots as houseplants! Like most desert plants, it needs lots of sun and little water. See the photo below for a closeup of the Hedgehog Cactus.
Echinocereus ledingii (Hedgehog Cactus) Closeup
The scientific name for this plant begins with "Echinocereus," which refers to a category of cacti that are small to medium-sized, cylindrical, and have lots of small spines. "Echinocereus" comes from the Ancient Greek word for "hedgehog." Can you see why this plant is categorized this way and has this nickname?
Welcome to the Arid House!
"Arid" climates are very dry, and are often very hot during the day and cold at night. Plants that grow in arid climates are experts at surviving droughts, which are long periods without rain. While plants in this house come from all over the world, one thing they have in common is that they have adapted to their climate by developing features to help them store water. Look for thick skin or fleshy leaves that keep in water. (Source)
While the plants in this house may share some features, you'll find plants of all shapes and sizes!
Many of the plants in this house are cactuses, which have spines instead of traditional leaves. Start with the Giant Cactus to the right to begin exploring the plants in this house.
Welwitschia mirabilis (Tumboa)
One of the rarest plants that the Matthaei Botanical Gardens grows is in the Arid House, and that is the Welwitschia. The Welwitschia is originally from Namibia, a country in Southern Africa. Notice how different the Welwitschia's ribbon-like leaves are from other plants in the Arid House! Because most of the plants related to the Welwitschia have been extinct for a long time, the Welwitschia is sometimes referred to as a "living fossil."
Agave deserti (Desert Agave)
The Desert Agave grows in parts of Arizona and California. Agave species grow very, very slowly, and the Desert Agave is sometimes known as a "century plant." Can you guess why?
Click Next to do some plant research of your own before you leave the Conservatory.